Rule changes that could be implemented by the AFL before the 2025 season

The sub rule has come under scrutiny from players and coaches alike, but the AFL is set to retain to controversial substitute’s vest heading into 2025.

The AFL is set to retain its much-scrutinised four-man bench and substitute despite strong lobbying from senior players and the player union to eradicate the sub.

The league is still working through potential rule changes for the 2025 season but was thrilled senior coaches and players gave up their time in Grand Final week for a rules and game analysis forum.

At that forum players made clear that they hate the sub and the ramifications for players, much preferring a five-person bench.

Under the current rules the fifth member of the bench is only able to come into the game as the substitute to replace a teammate – either through injury or tactical reasons – who then cannot return to the game.

Players hate being the named sub and hate being subbed off midgame, with Western Bulldogs deputy vice-captain Caleb Daniel leaving the club in part because of his use in that role seven times this year.

Caleb Daniel was subbed on or off more times than he played full games in 2024. Picture: Michael Klein

Players including Patrick Cripps, Darcy Moore and Sam Frost attended that rules summit and were strong in their dislike for the rule.

They believe players who are the sub or are subbed off are often disadvantaged at selection the next week because of a lack of game time and fitness, with players subbed off struggling to hide their frustration at the decisions.

But the Herald Sun understands the league is set to stick with the four-person interchange bench and sub.

It believes that specific make-up of the bench with a cap of 75 rotations allows for fairness and also the capacity to replace an injured player with a fresh teammate.

Logan McDonald of the Swans after being subbed out. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

The AFL remains upbeat about the standard of the game, entertainment value and strong appetite from supporters to attend the football despite gripes about umpiring standards.

Some senior coaches at the summit agreed with the player push, with some believing a fifth member of the bench to be used freely would also bring more tall players into the game.

Coaches say they would more often play a second ruckman in their sides if they had the capacity to use all five players on the bench from the first bounce.

Players and coaches at that rules summit spoke about the stand rule, game length, how to disincentivise dangerous tackles and the holding the ball rule.

Carlton captain Cripps was worried a mid-season rule tweak which rewarded a player who pinned an arm of his opponent would stop players going for the ball.

“It’s around the new interpretation. It’s not a crack at the umpires, it’s what’s being coached,” he said in July.

“The arm being pinged, it’s automatically holding the ball if you don’t get rid of it. My thing is, if people don’t have prior and they have the arm pinged, it should be a quick ball-up.”

Last year the AFL cracked down on illegal smothers over summer in the wake of the Angus Brayshaw-Brayden Maynard finals collision and also banned officials from whistling on the bench as part of rule changes.

It also strengthened the onus on players not to commit a strike when fending or pushing an opponent in a decision that saw Isaac Heeney ineligible for the Brownlow Medal after a high fend on Jimmy Webster.

Originally published as Rule changes that could be implemented by the AFL before the 2025 season