AFL announces dramatic new rule change less than two days out from season opener

The AFL has confirmed the introduction of a game-changing new rule less than 36 hours out from the season opener at the MCG.

The AFL will look different this season.

The AFL has confirmed that the highly-debated medical substitution will be employed for the 2021 premiership.

As concussion has become a more prevalent issue for the sport, the AFL hinted at introducing a substitution rule for concussed players during the pre-season.

But the league came under fire this week for postponing their verdict on the rule change, with reports of clubs becoming increasingly agitated.

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Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, chief executive Gillon McLachlan revealed the league was considering a medical substitution encompassing all injuries, not just concussion.

And less than 36 hours out from the first bounce of the season opener at the MCG, it was announced medical substitutions had been given the green light, with footy boss Steve Hocking confirming the news with club managers on Wednesday morning.

Dustin Martin of the Tigers.

The new rule will allow clubs to replace an injured player with a “23rd man” — a previously-selected squad member not in the team’s starting 22.

An injury substitution will be possible if a club doctor rules a player out for the remainder of a match.

The club doctor can only sub out a player if he believes the injury will sideline him for at least 12 days.

If that player is concussed, they will be forced to sit out for the next 12 days. However, if it is for a different injury, then that player must be assessed and cleared by the AFL chief medical officer to be eligible to play the following round.

“There’s a safeguard in place within the AFL rules,” Hocking told reporters on Monday.

“The club doctors are empowered through this. They need to make that decision. We’ve also got our chief medical officer at the AFL. In the case of a player potentially recovering sooner than expected during the week, then the club doctor can provide a medical certificate and further proof, if required by the chief medical officer of the AFL.”

However, there are lingering concerns clubs will find a way to exploit the rule change, several pundits calling for subbed off players to be required to spend one week on the sidelines.

The AFL take concussion so seriously, they're rushing in the sub-rule like a uni student punching out an essay the night before it's due.

— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) March 16, 2021

Medical sub it is. Surely a player who comes off will have to miss at least one match.

— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) March 17, 2021

What happens if you suffer 2+ injuries/concussions? You’re at a loss again. Bandaid rule changes ain’t the answer for mine. #AFL

— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) March 17, 2021

The Age’s Daniel Cherny tweeded: “The issue is determining what is an injury. I think they’ve badly missed the mark here, concussion sub made sense.”

Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb posted: “The AFL got rid of the sub because it was dumb and everyone hated it. Yet here we are again with a sub again.”

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg tweeted: “Surely all subbed players from injury have to miss the next week. Opens the door up for some dubious behaviour.”

Three-time premiership captain Trent Cotchin threw his support behind the substitute plan this week, emphasising the importance of player safety.

“It’s important that we protect the players and make sure that they don’t feel like they’re letting teammates down if they don’t play,” Cotchin said.

“With the education that’s around it and the way it typically impacts you, not just now but also down the track in your life.

“I think we’re aware of how significant concussion can be.

“We just want to make sure that we create a really safe environment for players to play.”

But Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury argued the changes were only implemented because of reduced rotations and longer quarters in the 2021 season.

“I certainly felt the affects of 75 rotations and certain guys not being able to come off (during the pre-season games),” Pendlebury said on Tuesday. “Injury rates are probably going to spike because of that.

“We’re a game that wants the best players out there, but we’re also red-lining the best players pretty quickly at the moment,” he said on Tuesday.

“It’s almost like a rule got created and then we needed to create another rule to solve the problem of that rule.”