The AFL has implemented many rule changes in recent times in order to make the game more appealing but one problem continues to frustrate football followers; congestion. It’s been one of the biggest on-field issues and now AFL great Leigh Matthews has come up with a radical plan to reduce the player numbers around the ball.

Matthews says his idea to force a handful of players from each team to be positioned inside the 50-metre arcs at all stoppages would be ‘football utopia’.  It would mean players would have to run to an attacking or defensive arc each time the whistle is blown for a stoppage.

''The only restriction where players can be on our ground is at centre bounces,'' Matthews told The Age’s Jon Pierik.

''I am of the view I would like less congestion around the footy, so, therefore, pull three or four pairs out in the extremities [of a large pack] at least.

''I understand the practical problem - how long do you allow teams to get their players back inside those arcs? I would like to see it but I don't know how you practically implement it.''

Matthews believes the change would allow the game's best midfielders more room to shine.

''…If you watch footy now, all of a sudden players are in half a field, so all of a sudden there is a stoppage and eight have to break out to get to the other end,'' Matthews said.

''But it would be a good look. The game would be better if that happened but I don't know you could make it happen. I understand the practical problem - it was a little bit of utopia that one.''

Matthews has also aired his thoughts on football department spending urging the league to introduce a cap.

"Finally the penny is dropping, (Geelong chief executive) Brian Cook is right … players have a salary cap, non-player expenditure desperately needs a cap also."

"Rich clubs love the competitive advantage their wealth provides," Matthews said on Twitter.

"They will never embrace equalisation unless forced. Power struggle looming!”