The bounce is now only used at the start of matches and after goals with umpires now calling for a basketball-style tip-off instead.

Umpires and their governing association claim the bounce is puting too much pressure on officials to get the bounce right, stating the ball can go off-centre and launch to different heights giving advantage to one team over another.

Bartlett, who played 19 seasons for Richmond from 1965-1983, had a massive crack at those calling to eradicate the bounce stating it was unique to Australian rules.

“Let’s get one thing straight- we should never have got rid of the bounce at all around the ground in the first place,” he said during his 1116 SEN Hungry for Sport radio show.

“Congestion and density around the ball was the driving force-to throw the ball up to save precious seconds so players couldn’t flood that area. The bounce is unique to our game, a game like no other on the planet. An indigenous game. It gave ruck workers skill with the oval ball that sometimes went off-centre and at different heights. For ruckwork was once an art form of the game. Now they want a basketball tip-off to start out great game. Good god.

“And here is another thing. We shouldn’t be recalling the ball from a crooked bounce at all which the umpires say puts pressure on them because they didn’t bounce straight. It should be, if the ball goes off-centre, play on. Like it was until some sooked because the odd bounce gave the opposition a perceived advantage.

“Tell that to Steven Milne who didn’t get the rub of the green kin the grand final. It’s an oval ball for god’s sake. We brag about having the greatest game in the world for over 100 years, now they want to turn it into some hybrid game for the whingers.”