AFL Set To Introduce Cap On Number Of Substitutions By Next Season

The controversial Australian Football League interchange system appears "set for another overhaul," with the league poised to introduce a cap on the number of substitutions before next season, according to Greg Denham of THE AUSTRALIAN. Clubs have been given three options to consider before the AFL Commission decides on changes in October. The options are a shift to a two substitute-two interchange system, maintaining the status quo of three interchange-one substitute, or keeping the system but capping the number of rotations at 80. The option most lawmakers favor is "believed to be the capped system." Any cap under 100 "will be a vast change to the way clubs use the system." The average interchange number per club per game has risen to 131 this year, up from 118 last year. Whatever outcome the commission determines, it is "almost certain" that clubs will have the ability to "use a substitute player on the field for injury assessment purposes," with the injured player "having to stay off the field for a specific time," as in 20 minutes in the case of a player returning after leaving the ground on a stretcher (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/30).