Players opposed to cap on AFL rotations

The AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) is vehemently opposed to the introduction of an interchange cap, saying there is no good reason why it should go ahead.

Monday’s AFL Commission meeting will decide whether the league pushes ahead with a controversial cap on rotations next season.

Pre-season trials have generated some heated debate about the concept and now the AFLPA has made its views clear.

“There is no good reason why this proposal should be introduced,” the association said in a statement on its website.

“There is insufficient evidence to support a link between rotations and injury rates (and) it is indisputable that the proposal will lead to increased player fatigue.

“Injury rates may, in fact, increase or remain stable due to a spike in fatigue-related injuries.

“Already high demands on players will be increased.”

The association also argues that a cap will hurt the spectator appeal of AFL matches.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has been adamant there will be a cap in place for the next regular season.

There has been speculation the commission will settle on a cap of 120 rotations per team in a game, up on the original proposal of 80.

For much of this season, there had not been any major increase in rotation numbers compared to last year.

But rotations spiked around round 19, with Geelong having 171 earlier this month against Port Adelaide.

That is the third-highest recorded total and well up on last season’s average of 131.3.

Last month, the commission requested more information after a presentation from the league’s football operations manager Mark Evans.

A few days later, Demetriou remained adamant the issue was the cap number, not if it would be introduced.