Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says the game will be safer and more consistent if the centre bounce is axed, but admits the "romance" aspect of it will be hard to let go.
The AFL umpires department has asked the league to investigate the impact the centre bounce is having on field umpires.
There are fears the strenuous nature of the bouncing action could be putting umpires at a higher risk of injury, and in turn be breaching occupational health and safety guidelines.
The bounce won't be axed this year, but it might be cast aside in time for the 2018 season.
If the time-honoured tradition is replaced by tossing the ball up, taller ruckmen like Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands stand to benefit given their height advantage.
Lyon said it was important to protect players from wonky bounces that put them in vulnerable positions.
"Because when the ball bounces back over your head and you're stuck, you're a sitting duck for a 105kg man charging at you the other way," Lyon said.
"Do you remember what it used to be like before the line (when players could start as far back as they like?)
"It would be like Dennis Lillee coming in off the long run-up and launching.
"Ruckmen used to clash, and they had the PCL (knee injuries). It was a really dangerous business. So they've reduced that.
"Anything that is going to provide a bit of safety and consistency is probably a good thing."
Lyon also had sympathy for the umpires.
"I understand the tradition of the game," Lyon said.
"But there's some inherent problems with the bounce - clearly for the umpires it's a dangerous act.
"It wears their back out. They're putting their head down when big athletes are charging at the ball. And they take their eyes off the game.
"There's a lack of consistency with it.
"But the romance of that - the unpredictability of Aussie Rules - the bounce just ties in beautifully with it.
"Clearly there's a push for change. I think at the right time the right people will make a decision."
Sandilands is set to return from a hamstring injury for Sunday's clash with Collingwood at Domain Stadium.
The 211cm ruckman was sorely missed in last week's 100-point loss to Adelaide, with his fill-in Jonathan Griffin expected to get the chop this week.
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