AFLPA renews call for five-man benches in AFL games amid reports sub rule will be retained

The AFLPA has renewed calls for the AFL’s sub rule to be scrapped, revealing the option players would prefer. Plus, their thoughts on the AFLW’s fixture logjam.

The AFL Players Association remains adamant the sub rule should be scrapped amid reports it will remain intact for the 2025 season.

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh confirmed it was the wider playing group’s belief that the game should see a return of the five-player bench. However, reports on Tuesday suggested the AFL would ignore those calls to keep the four-player interchange and substitute.

“We haven’t been told that (yet),” Marsh said on SEN radio on Wednesday.

“We had a much-publicised forum the week of the grand final, we brought senior players along to that. Coaches and footy (operations) people.

“I don’t think there was anyone in the room who thought the sub continuing was a good idea. We don’t really know why — we think five (players) on the bench is the smart way forward.

“We’ll wait to see where the AFL goes with it. Five on the bench is enough that if a player gets injured they can cover it in our view.”

It was one of several rule and scheduling changes that Marsh was quizzed over, with particular interest in the condensed AFLW season.

Amid external criticism of the compressed fixturing, which has seen teams play up to three matches in under than two weeks, Marsh admitted the players have been more vocal around the actual venue for games.

“We’re in the middle of meeting with the (AFLW) players — I wouldn’t say the players are angry,” Marsh said.

“I think the compression of the game this year didn’t work, we tried it and the players were brought on that journey. The midweek games are a separate factor and they’ve been okayed.

“We think there needs to be more games at tier-one venues moving forward. It’s hard to put on a good spectacle at Casey Fields or Frankston when it (wind) is blowing at 30kmh. It wouldn’t matter who is playing there, it’s not going to be a great spectacle.

Luke Breust became Hawthorn’s super sub.

Jordan De Goey after being subbed out with an injury.

“Bringing the season forward next year looks like it’s going to happen, which is important. But there’s been some great football played this year, and if you’ve been following (AFLW) you can see the growth that is coming and the players coming through.”

Marsh also confirmed the Players’ Association is currently in talks with the AFL over both their handling of the Christian Petracca incident and the competition’s illicit drug policy.

“We put a proposal to the AFL around a review of this,” Marsh said on the Petracca injury. “Waiting on a response form the AFL, it’s been with them a few weeks.

“It’s a risk for the industry, both for the (AFLW) and the AFL competition until we get this done. We’re not looking for scalps here, we’re looking to improve the processes around the players.”