From the Age

Players push for pure five-man bench

Players push for pure five-man interchange, if medical sub dropped

AFL players are pushing for a pure five-man interchange, rather than returning to the green vest of yesteryear, if there is change to the medical substitute ruling.

The league’s competition committee meets next week, with debate on the configuration of the interchange bench one of the key topics.

The AFL has surveyed clubs and provided three options: retain the current system of four men on the bench plus a medical substitute, have a pure five-man bench, or return to the model used between seasons 2011 and 2015, but this time with four men plus a substitute, with the latter to be used at any time for any reason.

Players want to have a say, with industry sources confirming they are keen on a pure five-man bench, with the fifth player able to be used at any stage for any reason. Players do not mind if the medical substitute remains, but are against reverting to the tactical sub axed in 2015.

A fifth player on the bench can help players and clubs manage workloads, while also adding selection and tactical intrigue. One football department source said it could help the Demons use specialist ruckmen Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy in the same team, for it could reduce the amount of time they needed to be on the ground together, meaning the Demons have plenty of run.

The league review comes amid suggestions clubs exploited the medical substitute ruling for the wrong reasons. Players had originally favoured a concussion substitute, to be used only for game-ending head knocks, but this was adjusted to an overall medical substitute. It was presumed an injured player would miss the next week, but a slew of players early this season being subbed off but returning the following week, prompted claims the system was being gamed.

AFL rules state the substitute can be activated during games if the club doctor has “reasonably determined” an injured player will miss 12 days. However, if the player heals over the ensuing days, that player can play the following weekend, provided the club has sent an updated medical report.

Club doctors have called for change, suggesting they immediately are under added pressure to make an injury ruling on game day, so their team is not impacted by one less man on the bench. Doctors have also suggested they face the predicament of subbing off a player who may not need to be, for instance when a player has cramps, particularly in the final term, coming with their side seeking fresh legs with the result on the line.

The latest incarnation of the medical substitute was introduced ahead of the 2021 season, in a bid to strengthen protocols around concussions and head knocks.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae had his own suggestion this year.

“I just wonder whether we could shift and change the rule slightly where if the opposition has activated theirs then, you’ve got a bit of an open slather, or there’s less guidelines attached to it, so there’s no competitive advantage potentially,” McRae said.