THE BODY is older, the seasons seemingly harder, so it comes without surprise that Brisbane Lions Brownlow medallist Simon Black is prepared to sit out matches to ensure he remains fresh.

While coaches and commentators debate the merits of the substitute rule, Black confesses having a rest is appealing.

In 2011, the 32-year-old played all 22 matches and racked up a career-high average of 26.8 disposals per match, but he said the rigours of a full season this year could take its toll.

"It's such a long, hard season, such a grind," Black said.

"I'm quite partial to, at times, having a break. You say that now, but when you're in season and the game rolls around you probably want to play every week and that's been the case in the past.

"But realistically you have to think about it and as you get older, having a week off from time to time, particularly if you're carrying niggles, it probably holds you in better stead at the back end of the season, so it's not a bad idea."

Last season Geelong rotated its players so that not one member of its premiership team played every match.

Collingwood's Dane Swan missed a match mid-season, and coupled with the bye, had two weeks to freshen off.

He returned in remarkable form and went on to win the Brownlow.

Black is now entering his 15th season and said the pace of the game had picked up each year, until the substitute rule was implemented in 2011.

"The game has certainly got quicker in the last five or six years," he said.

"I think the sub rule last year had a slight impact on the pace of the game and obviously that's why they're throwing up the idea of having a second sub, just to try and challenge the players a little bit more I suppose."

Black is poised to join the elite 300-game club early in the season, currently sitting on 296.

He said getting through the pre-season was as tough as playing games at this stage of his career.

"It's certainly been a challenging one. As you get older you don't back-up as well as you do when you're a 21-year-old, so that's the challenge," he said.

"But at the same time, the club's a lot smarter and I'm a bit smarter with experience not to overdo it and learn how to get through the pre-season and hit the season healthy."

Black will line-up against Carlton in Saturday's NAB Cup match at Maroochydore after sitting out last week's trip to Alice Springs to play Adelaide.

Daniel Rich and Daniel Merrett will also be named for the first time this season to play a Blues team led by returning skipper Chris Judd.

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting