Mick Malthouse says the AFL’s substitute rule hasn’t worked and he’s called for the league to consider having as many as six players on the interchange.
It comes after the AFL’s Football Operations Manager Mark Evans this week denied the league is planning a massive overhaul of the interchange system for 2015.
Malthouse says the issue was raised at a recent dinner with coaches and AFL Chief Gillon McLachlan.
The Carlton coach has told radio FIVEaa that while he wasn’t expecting immediate action, he’s hopeful a change will be made in the interests of the game.
“We don’t play football like that; we don’t play to play subs; we don’t train to play subs,” Malthouse said.
“It’s been a good education, but a failure. Let’s get over it, move on and get back to the four.”
The AFL has also quashed speculation the number of interchange rotations could be reduced from 120 to just 80 next season.
But Malthouse, traditionally in favour of using a high number of rotations, said he would welcome the reduction if it meant more players on the bench.
“There’s no question there is going to be a pay off here and that will be a reduction in the number of interchanges or rotations – so be it,” Malthouse said.
“Let’s move on – let’s find out what it is and let’s start guiding our players accordingly through the pre-season.
“I can’t see why we couldn’t have six players (on the bench) and it might be capped at one hundred rotations, and I think that would fit in beautifully.”
