MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: An umpires whistle is seen during the round two AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Fremantle Dockers at Etihad Stadium on April 4, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and Melbourne assistant coach Simon Goodwin have given the new extended protected zone the stamp of approval.

The league has been trialing an extended 10 metre protected zone around a player who has taken a mark, which is currently a five metre zone.

Beveridge said the new rule is a good move, while Goodwin said it has opened the game up more during the NAB Challenge matches.

"They have done it for a reason and I think the game is starting to open up a bit," Goodwin said.

The AFL will decide after the NAB Challenge whether to introduce the extended protected zone during the regular season.

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