You won’t see a green or red vest in 2023, but the tactical substitute has returned and with it comes a need for clubs to get creative.
How will clubs utilise having a fifth spot on the bench they can inject into games?
Will we see impact players and runners? Versatile types who can fill numerous roles in case of injury? The occasional ruckman?
Here’s who we think are each teams’ best substitute options.
The Crows look set to play a tall forward line in 2023, meaning the picture becomes a little clearer for the medical substitute.
If Matthew Nicks opts for versatility in the backline, Josh Worrell, Mitch Hinge and Will Hamill all shape as fringe best 22 players who could be deployed in the role.
If Darcy Fogarty, Taylor Walker and Riley Thilthorpe all play in the same side, it could see Shane McAdam handed the sub vest given his ability to play as a higher half-forward as well as a key target.
Meanwhile, Matt Crouch also appears as a possibility. The 27-year-old is too good to not be playing senior football but was squeezed out of Adelaide’s lineup in 2022. He could be a cool head on experienced shoulders late in a game and prove himself to be a valuable asset once again.
Seb Mottram
As one of the AFL’s deepest teams, Brisbane could have some quality tactical substitute options.
If they’re looking for experience, Callum Ah Chee wore the medical substitute vest multiple times last campaign with his versatility making him a standout while Conor McKenna has the speed to break games open.
If the Lions want some youth and spark from their fifth bench option, Darcy Wilmot and Kai Lohmann fit the bill and in their second seasons should continue to progress after showing glimpses of their potential in 2022.
Chris Fagan often liked to use ruckman Darcy Fort as a medical substitute option late last season and if they’re looking for a tall option, the 29-year-old again is in the frame alongside Tom Fullarton.
Don’t be surprised to see draftee Jaspa Fletcher get his first taste of senior football in this role either with Will Ashcroft appearing a best 22 lock.
Lachlan Geleit
For Carlton, they have a few options who loom as interesting substitute candidates on the fringes of their best 22.
Jack Martin comes to mind as someone who could have an impact in a short burst across half forward or through the midfield. Martin has not quite cemented himself in the club’s best 22 and could be best suited to the role.
The Blues have a bevy of small forwards with Jesse Motlop, Corey Durdin, Matt Owies and Josh Honey, all of whom could also have an impact off the bench with the ability to push up the ground.
The likes of Jack Silvagni, Jack Carroll and Brodie Kemp have positional flexibility to cover multiple holes, while top draftee Oliver Hollands could also thrive in the role as the season goes on.
Nic Negrepontis
Collingwood has multiple tactical substitute options to pick from in 2023.
Mid-season draftee Josh Carmichael made a name for himself as a quality impact option off the bench in 2022 and with a proper pre-season under his belt, should be better for the run this season.
Will Hoskin-Elliott is another player that could come into the frame as a selection squeeze looms. His versatility and ability to play up forward on the wing or down back makes him a viable choice.
Trent Bianco is another Magpie who could be used as a medical substitute in 2023.
Mature-aged draftee Joe Richards and young options Reef McInnes, Ed Allan and Finlay Macrae also are versatile alternatives that could be on the fringe of best 22 selection.
Lachlan Geleit
Essendon looks to have a few tactical options for their sub in 2023. Tasmanian product Jye Menzie was taken in the mid-season draft last year and played two games for the Bombers last year.
But with a full pre-season under his belt, look out for the small forward to make an impact coming off the bench late in matches.
The club is in desperate need of goals and he could be an option. Other options for Brad Scott to use as an impact sub include former Blue Will Setterfield, who has found a third home at Tullamarine.
He may not be best 22 immediately, but should be able to make an impact.
Laurence Rosen
Fremantle already has its super sub who can carry over from 2022 in Bailey Banfield.
Banfield was utilised as the substitute 10 times last season, including both finals, the most of any player in the competition. Coach Justin Longmuir clearly loved using him in that position, something that will likely carry over to the tactical version.
Second-year midfielders Neil Erasmus and Matt Johnson could also work well in that role as they establish themselves at AFL level, while the likes of Sam Sturt and Liam Henry could be game-changing impact players coming on late in games.
Nic Negrepontis
Geelong’s off-season recruiting spree means its best 22 in 2023 could be anything. Jack Bowes, Tanner Bruhn, Ollie Henry and Jhye Clark are all expected to push for a spot in Chris Scott’s side yet none would be locked into a lineup that won a Grand Final by 81 points.
Any of those four would make a timely substitute, particularly Henry given his explosiveness and Geelong’s ability to cover its back half with a redeployment of Mark Blicavs.
Gary Rohan is in the same mould and his leg speed would be clearly noticeable late in games.
Meanwhile, Mark O’Connor was the last man into Geelong’s 22 after Max Holmes’ injury before the Grand Final and his versatility in numerous defensive capabilities as well as a midfielder also makes him an attractive prospect.
Seb Mottram
Rory Atkins’ long-term contract has been the subject of much debate over the years, so perhaps he could be reinvented as a super sub in 2023?
Still contracted for three more seasons, Atkins spent most of 2022 playing with Gold Coast’s VFL side and will be hoping for more senior game time this year.
Brayden Fiorini is another name that has been on the fringes at the Suns and looms as another option for Stuart Dew if possible for a spark off the bench during the latter stages of matches.
The likes of Alex Davies and Alex Sexton are other options.
Laurence Rosen
There is no standout candidate for the Giants.
Having lost a pair of guns in Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, their midfield stocks aren’t quite as deep as they have been previously so a fringe or younger on-baller might not be the obvious option as it was in 2022.
The Giants also recruited small forward Toby Bedford in the off-season and he could potentially push ahead of a player like Brent Daniels.
Daniels missed all of last season due to persistent hamstring injuries, so naturally the club would want to ease him back into the fray of senior footy. That scenario makes him suited perfectly to the sub role.
The 23-year-old could come on and make an impact late in games with his dynamism up forward and his strength around the ball.
Similarly, experienced forward Daniel Lloyd is one who might not get a start in GWS’ forward line so could be used tactically off the bench.
Callum Brown’s versatility is appealing as a tactical sub, emerging talent Conor Stone, who like Daniels had hamstring issues last year, is also an option, as is 19-year-old Cooper Hamilton.
Andrew Slevison
With Hawthorn continuing their rebuilding journey, plenty of positions in their senior side look to be up for grabs heading into the season, leaving plenty of uncertainty as to who would fill a tactical sub role.
Lachlan Bramble could be one to fill the spot as he makes his return from a stress fracture in his back, having shown plenty of versatility and defensive talents in his second AFL season.
The injury prevented Bramble from cementing his place in Hawthorn’s best 22, however it wouldn’t be surprising to see him stay in the squad after strong performances as a sub.
Denver Grainger-Barras is another defender who could bounce between the backline and substitute role, having held his own in 16 appearances last season.
Finn Maginness and Cooper Stephens are a pair of young midfielders that find themselves on the fringe of Hawthorn’s senior squad, and could both see time as late impact subs if they aren’t starting on the field.
Jack Makeham
There’s still plenty of uncertainty as to how Melbourne will line up in 2022 and Simon Goodwin would have several plans in his head for the club’s best 22.
As it stands, it appears best 22 regulars in 2022 Trent Rivers and Jake Bowey could be fighting for the same spot. Both would be able to come in and perform a similar role off half-back or on the wing if required and appear among the most versatile options for the Demons.
New recruit Lachie Hunter may have to earn his spot and could be an early substitute contender, although he seems likely to hold a spot on the win at his best.
With Hunter’s inclusion and Angus Brayshaw heading to the midfield full-time, James Harmes and Tom Sparrow could be fighting for the final midfield spot, with the other a sub option.
Seb Mottram
It will be interesting to see how Alastair Clarkson utilises the substitute rule at North Melbourne, as he gains a feel for the list.
The Roos have to find a way to juggle their glut of bigs with Nick Larkey, Todd Goldstein, Tristan Xerri, Callum Coleman-Jones and Charlie Comben and being able to sub one out late could help them find balance.
Youngsters Josh Goater, Blake Drury and George Wardlaw could also benefit from a softer initiation into AFL level via the substitute rule, while veteran signings Liam Shiels and Daniel Howe could come on as a reliable role players.
The likes of Jaidyn Stephenson and Lachie Young are likely part of the club’s best 22, they could find some confidence coming on late in games as impact players occasionally.
Phoenix Spicer is also a prototypical sub type who could impact a game late.
Nic Negrepontis
Sam Powell-Pepper is a great sub candiate for Port Adelaide in 2023.
Already used in a variety of roles, Powell-Pepper is a big-bodied midfielder that applies brilliant pressure, meaning he can be used as a midfielder or forward.
He also plays well above his 187cm stature, making him a third tall option for coach Ken Hinkley.
Kane Farrell is another Power player that is so adaptable, Farrell played in just about every position in 2022 and with elite skills, he can play as a back flank, wingman or crafty forward.
Xavier Duursma looms as a potential sub option, having only featured seven times last year at AFL level, should he not find his form, Hinkley could use the energetic youngster as that sub option.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Hugo Ralphsmith appears the prime tactical sub candidate for the Tigers.
Ralphsmith, who has shown versatility in his fledgling career to date, hasn’t quite locked down a spot in the best 22 and could be beneficial for the team coming on as a burst player.
The 21-year-old sits behind the likes of Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker and even Jayden Short - who spent more time as a midfielder in 2022 - as a smaller defender with rebounding capabilities.
Ralphsmith can also play on the wing but is yet to wrestle a starting spot away from Kamdyn McIntosh or Marlion Pickett.
He has also pushed forward on the odd occasion but is certainly not ahead of Shai Bolton nor Noah Cumberland or Maurice Rioli from a small forward viewpoint.
While Ralphsmith has plenty of talent, there isn’t an obvious position there so using him as a high-impact, powerful runner late in games might be a clever ploy.
Jack Ross has often been used as a sub in the past and may find himself around that mark again following the additions of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.
Thomson Dow is another option given his inside midfield ability, Rhyan Mansell somewhat fits the bill as a rebounding small defender and Judson Clarke could be used as a classy forward to provide a spark late in games.
Andrew Slevison
There's no standout sub candiate for the Saints heading into 2023.
However, new recruit Liam Stocker looks an option for coach Ross Lyon. The former Blue was trialled across defence and in the midfield throughout his time at Ikon Park but struggled to get a look in. Stocker is a burst player that could fill a role should a midfielder or defender go down during the match.
Defender Tom Highmore is one that could pinch hit in defence, standing at 193cm, the mobile defender is a great mark and has the ability to play on talls and smalls.
Down forward, Ryan Byrnes is a player that creates a spark whenever he finds himself in the senior side. You can never question his effort and pressure, traits that make a perfect sub.
While the Swans made it to the Grand Final last year, their young stocks are some of the best in the AFL.
With a bevy of youth on the fringe of their best 22, you’d imagine John Longmire and his coaching staff will look there to fill their tactical substitute role.
If the Swans want some spark up forward, small options Sam Wicks and draftee Jacob Konstanty fit the bill while midfield Braeden Campbell and Angus Sheldrick can slot into the midfield or off a flank.
Logan McDonald was dropped from last year’s Grand Final side but if we’re expecting improvement from the highly-touted youngster, Hayden McLean or Joel Amartey could slot in as a key substitute option.
Looking towards their experienced ranks, Harry Cunningham, Aaron Francis and Lewis Melican have experience at AFL level and can all play a role.
Lachlan Geleit
While West Coast are coming off the back of a brutal season last year, their best 22 doesn’t look to be going through a drastic overhaul in 2023.
If the Eagles follow a similar approach to 2022, flexible defenders Jamaine Jones and Josh Rotham will often appear in the role, spending six games between them as medi-sub last season.
However, if the Eagles go for a different look, the tactical sub role seems to be the perfect way for plenty of the Eagles’ up and coming talents to carve a way into the side.
West Coast have a slew of players under the age of 21 seeking a more consistent role, such as Brady Hough, Jai Culley and Rhett Bazzo.
Campbell Chesser and Reuben Ginbey are a pair of versatile youngsters that will push to make their senior debut in 2023, comfortable in both the midfield and defence.
Jack Makeham
The Western Bulldogs boast as much depth as any team in the league, giving them some strong options as substitute.
Toby McLean could fill the role as he works his way back from a torn ACL and is someone Luke Beveridge trusts to fill multiple roles.
Mitch Hannan, Bailey Williams and Hayden Crozier similarly are versatile and can have an impact in short bursts.
It’s hard to rule out Beveridge throwing the magnets around creatively and throwing the hypothetical vest to someone like Sam Darcy or Buku Khamis.
The likes of Roarke Smith, Charlie Clarke and Riley Garcia would be more standard substitute options who could provide some run and burst.
Nic Negrepontis