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It is ironic how some in the AFL community complain about the amount of rule changes implemented during the past few seasons, yet, at the same time, those same people campaign to fix parts of our game which are not broken.
Just sixteen years ago, the interchange bench had two players.
Today, we have four bench players, which the coach can rotate at his own leisure. Some teams have well-over 100 interchanges a game.
Now, many of those in the senior chair at AFL clubs want an extra two substitutes, who will then be included if a player suffers a game-ending injury.
The school of thought is that if a team is a man down early, their chances of winning fall significantly, so, by having a substitute, we ensure the playing field remains even.
Well, maybe, it’s time we reached for a tissue.
It’s part of AFL football. There is no system to injuries, it has been happening since our great game began, and it is up to coaches to work around it and find a solution. That is their job, isn’t it?
Essendon defeated Collingwood on Anzac Day, despite losing ruckman David Hille early in the contest. Hawthorn lost Cyril Rioli early-on against Sydney a few weeks later, and managed to win.
And, in last year’s Grand Final, the Hawks were two-men down in the second-half, yet, amazingly, they ran all over Geelong and won the game comfortably.
We have got to a stage where the bench argument has become a convenient excuse for a loss. Mick Malthouse has used it a number of times.
How about acknowledging the fact that your team was not good enough on the day? Teams in the past have proven they can win without their full quota of players.
If the rule is changed, and teams are allowed two substitutes, then the system is open to be exploited.
Who judges if a player is unfit to continue for the remainder of the game? And, what if a player has spent all his petrol tickets by the third term? Do we just allow him to have a rest for the afternoon so a fresh substitute can enter the fray?
And, do we stop at two substitutes? What if a team is four-men short in the third quarter? Do we ask a player from the VFL team to get suited up?
The fact is that four on the interchange bench is sufficient. If a team loses a player, it is the rub of the green and another challenge for coaches to overcome.
I don’t think too many of the critics of the current system would have survived in the ‘80s. There were injuries then, too.
And, just for some history, Sydney finished a game against Essendon in 1981 with 14 fit men – and won.
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