The AFL is set to reprise the role of the substitute in 2025 despite strong views from players and coaches to axe it.

The four-man bench with an additional sub - which was re-introduced in 2021 as a medical replacement - has been highly scrutinised for its place in the game.

Players such as Scott Pendlebury have previously slammed its existence, following a host of debutants utilised in the role.

โ€œI couldn't imagine playing your first game and being the sub. Like, I think it's ridiculous," Pendlebury said earlier in the year.

โ€œI'd love to make it five or four on the bench, I don't care, as long as it goes.โ€

In 2024, 76 players made their debut, with 20 starting on the bench when the first siren rang.

The substitute role has seemingly caused distress among senior players who coaches have opted to use in the position.

Former Western Bulldogs player Caleb Daniel played limited minutes throughout the recently finished campaign on seven occasions.

The Herald Sun reported that "Patrick Cripps, Darcy Moore and Sam Frost attended that rules summit and were strong in their dislike for the rule".

However, it is understood that the league believes the current setup is fair, combined with the interchange cap of 75 rotations and the capacity to replace an injured player.

1 COMMENT

  1. The problem here is not the โ€œsubโ€ it is what the sub is โ€œneeded forโ€โ€ฆ..

    In the old days (of โ€œreservesโ€) when a player went down he was replacedโ€ฆ. and there was no advantage for the non-injured side (other than one of their โ€œstarting 18โ€ was injured) However, in a game where there are rotations have such a large part in how the game is played โ€“ being one down on the bench is nearly as compromising as being one down on the field (as itโ€™s very easy to โ€œrotateโ€ fresher players against an opponent who is now unable to be rested as much.

    The main problem in this aspect is the rate of rotations.

    I think a solution is to have:
    6 interchange players (6 forwards, 6 defenders, 6 โ€œmidfielders โ€“ so 6 interchange)

    BUTโ€ฆ

    Allow sides only to use the interchange 6 times DURING a quarter (other than for โ€œconcussion examinations).

    It then stops a side from having an advantage if an opponent loses a player due to injury.

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