AFLPA boss calls for league to make distinct change to sub rule

AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh is another name who thinks that the sub-rule must change.

According to a report in the Herald Sun, the AFL is set to retain the much-scrutinised four-man bench and substitute in 2025 despite the wishes of the players association and those in charge of football clubs.

Marsh says that senior players, coaches and those in footy operations at AFL clubs agreed that a change should be made to the bench at a forum held during the 2024 AFL Grand Final week.

“We haven't been told that (it’s continuing), we’ve read about it in the media, so I guess we'll see how that plays out,” Marsh told SEN Breakfast.

“We had a much-publicised forum the week of the Grand Final, we brought some senior payers along to that.

“We were there and I was there personally - we had a good discussion about this - there were coaches there and footy ops people there.

“I don't think there was anyone in the room who thought the sub continuing was a good idea.”

Instead of sticking with four on the bench plus one sub, the AFLPA are instead pushing for a simple five on the bench change as they feel that a team can cover for an injured player if they are able to use 23 players however they choose on game day.

“We think five on the bench is the smart way forward,” Marsh said.

“I guess we'll wait to see where the AFL goes with it. 

“I don't really understand the reasons for it. It's something that doesn't work for the players. 

“Five on the bench is enough that if a player gets injured, you know the team can cover them in our view.”

The AFL has brought back four players on the bench plus a medical substitute in 2021. Since 2023, clubs have been free to use the substitute as they please instead of only in the case of injury.