Player welfare cited by Redlegs in bid for four-man bench

NORWOOD has cited player welfare for its vehement backing of increased numbers on the bench.

Norwood football manager Mark Ross: “We are the only competition with three on the bench.

NORWOOD has cited player welfare for its vehement backing of increased numbers on the bench.

The Redlegs want the SANFL to add another player - either as a substitute or as a part of the rotations - and “move with the times” to have 22-man sides.

Injuries have hit the reigning champions hard this season and Redlegs football manager Mark Ross claimed the club had finished only two games with at least 20 fit players.

The issue was highlighted in the battles against Central District and South Adelaide in rounds two and six respectively when the Redlegs finished the games with less than 18 fit players.

“It has been even worse at the reserves level,’’ Ross said.

“There were two weeks we were down to 18 players at half-time and by the end of the game were down to 16.

“Those are freaks ones but it is happening. If we had one more player we could survive.

“With the way the game is being played, it is more taxing on the players. There are more rotations and players needing to play less to get through games.

“We have a responsibility to look after the players. The critics will say we should not follow the AFL but we have to move with the times.

“We are the only competition with three on the bench. They have four in the VFL and WAFL.

“Whether the extra man is a substitute or can be rotated - we are happy for the league to go with either.’’

Ross said the problem had been further emphasised by the concussion rule which prevents players from returning to the game.

The Redlegs had two players pass a concussion test in the loss to the Bulldogs and they were sent back onto the field. Had another player been available on the bench, the club would have taken a more cautious approach.

“If you are going to have a rule which says you cannot push Mark Ross back out there if he is concussed, then we need to be able to replace that player,’’ Ross said.

The need to protect concussed players has become a priority and fuelled talks on an increased bench.

The SANFL’s laws of the game committee has already discussed the introduction of a substitute and will meet mid-season and at the end of the season to enable any recommendations for next year be sent to the commission.

The league is concerned the impact injuries are having on games.

In round five, the Panthers had just 17 players on the field in the final quarter against Woodville-West Torrens after Joel Cross had to leave the game under the blood rule. Injuries had left the Panthers without rotations from late in the second quarter.