AFL sub rule: The best impact players in 2024

Who are the AFL’s ‘super subs’? Which club uses the sub most effectively? How did the sub change games in 2024? CALLUM DICK delves into footy’s most contentious rule.

The substitute rule is a polarising part of the modern game but there is no denying its ability to impact outcomes when used effectively.

Whether it’s a stunning 20-minute stint a la David Swallow’s three-goal game against Hawthorn in round 5, or Kynan Brown’s solo chase down tackle on debut to ice the game for Melbourne against North, the sub can play a major role in deciding matches.

The use of the sub has become a key technical and tactical aspect of modern football – and some clubs use it much more effectively than others.

In the case of Hawks great Luke Breust, the sub role has perhaps even extended his AFL career and allowed Sam Mitchell to weaponise one of the craftiest small forwards in the game to maximum effect.

What desperation from the first-gamer Kynan Brown!

Some of the team could take some notes from that. pic.twitter.com/oKfRuqseaB

— Melbourne Footy (@MelbourneFooty) June 23, 2024

But it takes a particular kind of player to be the sub. Often, it is one of the more versatile players on the list – the man capable of filling multiple positions in case injury strikes.

It can be a young player – perhaps not ready for the rigours of a full AFL game, but one the coaching staff want to blood slowly and inject when the time is right.

Caleb Daniel was a regular sub for the Bulldogs this year.

Luke Bruest provided a spark for the Hawks late in games.

And in the case of Breust and Swallow, an elder statesman who may no longer have the legs to run out a full game each weekend but can be relied upon to make a solid contribution when the sting has come out of the game late in the match.

The sub has changed the way modern football is played and while it may be a pivotal role, it is not a glamorous one.

Just ask wantaway Western Bulldogs Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel, who combined to fill the role 11 times last season and who both sought opportunities elsewhere for 2025.

Taj Woewodin spent plenty of time watching on as sub.

WHEN CLUBS USE THEIR SUB

It will come as no surprise to regular football watchers that the Western Bulldogs were the most aggressive users of the sub last season.

With high caliber players like Macrae and Daniel waiting in the wings, the Dogs were eager to pull the trigger on the sub more than any other club in 2024.

Luke Beveridge called for the sub on average 72.5 minutes into a match – just ahead of North Melbourne and West Coast.

At the other end of the spectrum, both Essendon and Gold Coast activated their sub on average at the 88.1 minute mark.

Damien Hardwick liked to wait before using his sub.

MOST TIMES SUBBED ON

Breust has become the poster boy for the sub role and for good reason. He was one of only two players – the other being Melbourne’s Taj Woewodin – to start double digit games in the vest this season.

Twelve of Breust’s 19 games came as the starting sub. Despite that, he still managed to kick 21 goals.

Recently delisted small forward Quinton Narkle started as the sub eight times for Port Adelaide, as did Swallow for the Suns.

Jack Carroll, James Peatling and Caleb Daniel wore the vest seven times, while Francis Evans, Nick Hind and Braeden Campbell started as the sub six times in 2024.

Calsher Dear was subbed off in six of his 12 games.

MOST TIMES SUBBED OFF

Perhaps unsurprisingly given Breust’s impact as the sub, it is a Hawthorn player – Calsher Dear – who was the man most subbed off in 2024.

The 19 year old was subbed out in six of his first 12 career games as Sam Mitchell regularly pulled the trigger on a different forward dynamic, with four of those a direct swap for Breust.

Dear exploded to life late in the season booting 12 goals in five matches including four across the Hawks’ two finals, announcing himself as a key forward of the future.

Clubs seem to prefer subbing off a forward when making the swap.

Bailey Humphrey, Logan Morris, Jack Gunston and Orazio Fantasia are all forward line regulars who were subbed off four times in 2024.

Port Adelaide utility Lachie Jones and Sydney Swans skipper Dane Rampe were the other players to be subbed out four times last season.

SAM BERRY THE SUPERSUB.#AFLBluesCrowspic.twitter.com/ahjI2zuHzr

— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2024

MOST IMPACT AS A SUB

According to Champion Data, Adelaide’s Sam Berry was the most impactful starting sub in the AFL last season.

Berry wore the vest five times and averaged 14.2 ranking points per 100 minutes after coming onto the ground.

The 22-year-old thrived late in games when coming on fresh, often impacting with his tackle pressure.

Young mid-forward Hugo Garcia has already become a popular player with St Kilda fans and for good reason. The first-year player ranked just behind Berry, averaging 13.8 ranking points per 100 minutes, when coming on as the sub.

Incredibly, the Crows now have two of the top three sub players in the competition on their list after trading for ex-Giant James Peatling, who averaged 13.3 ranking points per 100 minutes in his seven starts with the sub vest last season.

Breust clocks in fourth and delisted Blue Jack Carroll fifth.