Essendon coach Brad Scott is the latest AFL senior coach to throw support behind a change to the process of naming the tactical sub, with the Bombers boss calling the current selection procedure an unwanted "guessing game" for fans.
Scott's comments come after a late change was pulled by the Bombers where former captain Dyson Heppell was moved to the role after initially being named to start against GWS.
Heppell's spot in Scott's side for Essendon's Round 4 encounter with the Giants gained attention during the week, with some suspecting the veteran defender may be omitted after a difficult appearance last week against St Kilda.
Instead of listing the 215-gamer as dropped before calling on Heppell to be the tactical sub, Scott instead named Heppell to start against GWS before making a late change, moving the defender to begin the game on the interchange, with ruckman Andrew Phillips brought in to start the match.
The manoeuvre was utilised for tactical purposes, with Scott satisfied with the performances of both Heppell and Phillips after the 13-point win.
After calls to change the selection process for tactical subs from premiership coaches Chris Scott, Damien Hardwick and Alastair Clarkson, Scott echoed their views on the matter.
"It was just where we thought we could get an advantage," the Essendon coach said.
"It's a really hard one. I know there's been some commentary throughout the week around naming a sub, having someone named out (of the team).
"We actually did seek some proactive clarification on that, that we could do what we did. So we declared that to the AFL that that was the way we were going to approach it.
"But ultimately in terms of selection we felt two rucks was the way to go and (Sam) Draper and Phillips were both really important.
"We had a situation where Phillips didn't play last week, so we didn't have to name our sub out. Whereas other teams, if you're gonna drop someone or make them a sub, you've got to name them as omitted and we certainly didn't want to do that with Heppell.
"We felt Heppell was the right sub for us this week, because we went with talls at both ends of the ground. And that just gave us the flexibility that Dyson can play in multiple positions.
"I thought the way he handled that... he's led the way there. He was really important today. He was really calm and kept the boys focused. I'm aware there's been some viewpoints and criticism, but he's very, very important to our group with where we are, right here, right now."
Hardwick was especially passionate about the sub process after triple premiership captain Trent Cotchin was listed as managed for his side's matchup with the Western Bulldogs, only for the veteran midfielder to play 48 per cent time on ground after coming into the game.
While the change to name 23 players instead of 22 at selection is something Scott would like to see, the former general manager of football at AFL House said there would be some hesitancy from league HQ.
"I think I think it just makes sense. But having worked at the AFL...," Scott said with a smirk.
"The lawyers would hate that because they've got to rewrite the entire rule book, because the rule book is written around 22 players. So they've got to change a lot of things (to allow the change).
"But at the end of the day, it's doable... to change it. I think it's just logical because having to name Trent Cotchin as omitted, when he's not, it just doesn't feel right.
"It just creates unnecessary angst right across the board. I think the fans also would like to know who's in our 23, rather than this guessing game."
Scott revealed during his time with the AFL that the league opened up to feedback and potential changes from all 18 clubs over having a five-man interchange instead of four bench players and a sub player.
The former North Melbourne coach revealed that he was left surprised by the majority of clubs responding with a preference for the four-plus-one format.
"We put out submissions or requested submissions for club's preferences," Scott revealed.
"My strong view was that the clubs would come back and say 'we prefer five on the bench,' but unfortunately that wasn't the case.
"(The) majority of clubs came back and said they wanted four and a sub, which surprised me."
