Essendon coach Brad Scott has doubled down on his position of the sub-rule, saying he tried to abolish it when he worked at the AFL.

The sub has always been a point of contention since its introduction back in 2011 as to whether it should be included in the game.

However, in 2024 the rule is "unnecessary" in the modern game, only adding angst to the players and coaching staff.

A medical substitute was introduced in 2021 to combat the in-game injuries and concussions that saw players pulled from the match.

However, clubs quickly exploited the rule to further their agenda, whether it was to rest an important player or get minutes into the sub.

Scott thinks the AFL should scrap the sub so it doesn't become a hindrance to any club.

"I would prefer five on the bench," Scott said on Fox Footy's AFL 360.

"I don't think a player in the competition that enjoys the sub-rule or being the sub or being subbed off.

"I don't think it adds anything to the game. I tried to get rid of it at the AFL.

"There are people who think it adds intrigue and I'm not sure how it does that."

Scott said following the ANZAC Day clash with Collingwood that the club was stuck in between a rock and a hard place when forward Harrison Jones copped a knock to the nose and needed to be assessed for concussion.

We had 16 minutes to go in the last quarter, and they had to assess him, so we just made the call, take your time, we'll sub him because we don't have time to wait," Scott said.

"It's one of those frustrating (ones) – I've been pretty vocal, I don't know why we have a sub. I've got absolutely no idea. If we didn't have a sub, we wouldn't have to worry about rushing the doctors to get a concussion diagnosis or not, we'd just put the fresh player on who's sitting there.

"But then we're sitting there with the fresh player, while we're assessing a key forward, while the game is on the line. The sub's supposed to take the pressure off the doctor? I'd love someone to explain that to me, I've got no idea.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell shared the same view, saying the sub should be removed as it can be more tactically enthralling.

"I'm 100% five (on the bench)," Mitchell declared on AFL 360.

"The tactical element of that, for instance, we might play two rucks whereas the other side might play an extra runner so it gives you a tactical advantage.

"Some teams might keep the fifth one until half-time, especially if the cap (of 75) stays the same.

"And how you use it becomes much more tactical and so I think it could be an exciting element of the game."

Scott also alludes to the detriment it has on the player who started as the sub.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Medical sub Dylan Stephens of the Swans runs sprints after the round 20 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 01, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

"We've got this system where we got a player who's been subbed, they then, post-game, have to top up their running on the ground, sometimes in the dark," Scott said.

"We've got a VFL system that has multiple byes... it creates all these unnecessary issues for players."

SEN's Sam Edmund also reported earlier this year that clubs were pushing to abolish the sub and just have five on the bench, saying it "gives some clubs, the sub, the absolute irrits."

AFL sub and interchange history (2011-now)

For a period of five seasons (2011-2015), clubs were given three players on the interchange bench whilst a fourth wore a green vest until activated into the game.

In 2013, the introduction of forced interchange for concussed players, with the provision for temporary activation of the substitute, was implemented for clubs to adhere to.

The following year, an interchange cap of 120 changes was brought in and subsequently dropped by 30 in 2016.

The next five years (2016-2020) saw no substitute during a match and a return to four players on the bench.

However, a medical sub was introduced in 2021 (on top of the current quartet of players), the same year the interchange cap of 75 was brought in.

And with debate over how the medical sub was exploited by clubs, the AFL altered the meaning of the 23rd player to a general sub last year.