Coaches reveal early strategies for AFL’s new five-man bench

From an injured star, to an all-time veteran to versatile role players, coaches gave a glimpse into how they'll use the extended five-man bench in 2026.

A much-welcomed change ahead of the new season saw tactics and strategies reach fever pitch, and how high-performance staff would utilise the 75 interchange cap.

The season opener between Sydney and Carlton was the first insight into how a player would be used.

Tom Papley, after an interrupted summer through injury, was used like an original sub.

"We knew Tom had a limited pre-season in relation to matchplay," Swans coach Dean Cox said.

"Like the old sub, if it was around, he would've been the sub or subbed out. We needed to make sure he got a certain amount of minutes.

"We need to build him. That was our plan. We needed to make sure we had Tom at the end of the game."

Papley played 57 percent of Thursday's game, but was brilliant in bursts, providing a much-needed spark and energy in the front half.

Carlton recruit and ruckman Liam Reidy was another who spent nearly 40 per cent on the pine, chiming in up forward to provide a target or give Marc Pittonet a breather at stoppage.

Brisbane debutant Zane Zakostelsky earned a senior opportunity but was relatively held from the field (44 per cent).

The athletic tall helped with centre ball-up work, while pinch-hitting in key position posts when required.

Geelong's Jhye Clark was used sporadically over the field in the loss to Gold Coast, but only at a 50 per cent time on ground rate.

Injected into the midfield but also providing bounce off half back, Clark utilised his minimal time on the field to good use, kicking one goal from 11 touches. He also recorded 300 metres gained.

But the cream of the crop was Collingwood's use of champion Scott Pendlebury.

The evergreen Pie, who's last match resulted in a calf strain minutes into the preliminary final loss to Brisbane, was spared the high-energy, ping-pong football, for the most part.

Spending 55 per cent on the field, Pendlebury was held back within the first half, and placed up forward where his trademark time-slowing ability was on show at the MCG.

A career-high five goal assists to go with his 26 touches epitomised the perfect 'sub'. High impact, high reward.

As the remainder of the competition join in on the fun next week, what else will the coaches conjure up with a five-man bench?