AFL Confirms New Medical Substitute Rule Just Before the 2021 Season Begins

Here's everything you need to know about the change.

The AFL have jumped back into the headlines with another new rule added less than two days out from the season opener between Richmond and Carlton on Thursday night.

Football’s governing body already found themselves in hot water with the introduction of the controversial Man on the Mark rule, but this latest change to the laws of the game is good for footy—even if they were late at introducing it.

According to the AFL, the new Medical Substitute rule will “require AFL teams to name an additional Player on the interchange bench who can only be activated once a Player is determined to be medically unfit to continue to participate in a match by the Club doctor.”

With in-game concussions being a semi-regular feature of the sport, and the cultural conversation around head injuries steering away from "she’ll be right" and "run it off", this new rule shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

AFL Executive General Manager of Football Operations (could he get a longer title?) Steve Hocking spoke of the rule, saying, “The health and safety of each player in the game remains the priority and the introduction of a medical substitute ensures that player safety remains paramount in our game.”

Gil McLachlan, AFL CEO, echoed Hocking’s words, stating on AFL 360: “It’s a health and safety possibility that I think makes sense if the clubs and coaches want to support it.”

Clubs were informed of the decision on Wednesday morning, less than 36 hours out from the first game of the season.

Better late than never, I guess.

There are some concerns regarding the Medical Sub rule, with pundits seeing a loophole to be exploited by those clubs willing to bend the rules.

Surprised the AFL announced the new medical sub rule now, a whole day before the season starts, instead of waiting until half-time in a game where a Richmond player gets injured.

— Ben Salter (@Ben_Salter) March 17, 2021

It’s not all complaints though, with three-time premiership winner and Richmond Captain Trent Cotchin throwing his support behind the new rule.

“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," he 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."

Medical Sub Activate. Coaches asked for it - they got. Happens in a lot of workplaces. Let it go now and celebrate the #AFL is back.

— Max Blake (@maxblake44) March 17, 2021

AFL is one of the hardest hitting sports in the world, so anything that can extend the playing time of these gladiators and prevent long-term health issues is a win in my book.

Image Header: Michael Willson/AFL Photos / Stringer via Getty Images