Fremantle defensive coach Michael Prior supports the AFL’s recent inclusion of the protected zone around the mark, and saying it would benefit the fluidity of ball movement during the game.

“It’s going to help, especially the new 10 metre rule,” Prior told 6PR.

“The AFL want the ball to be moved down the ground quicker and I think they’re going to get that.

“I think it’s a good move and it stops teams double guarding on the mark.”

Prior said any initial worries of an influx of 50 metre penalties due the rule were unfounded and that the rule hadn’t negatively impacted the game.

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“Throughout the pre-season there have been a few guys give away some 50s, but hasn’t been an exorbitant amount,” he said.

The protected zone should assist in creating faster movement of the football, something that Freo’s round one opponent - the Western Bulldogs - do with great effectiveness.

But stopping a potent attack starts in forward line, according to Prior, who said Freo’s goal scorers would need to be accountable against the Bulldogs damaging halfbacks.

“Their run off half back with (Jason) Johannisen and (Robert) Murphy is outstanding,” he said.

“We want to create in our forward line but when they win the ball, (we need to) put the pressure on them and slow their ball movement up.

“If we let them free wheel and don’t put pressure on up the field, we’re going to struggle to stop them because they are classy coming out of there.”

Freo have the players to mount a defence against the Bulldog halfbacks, with forwards Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters combining for 235 tackles in 2015.