The centre bounce and sub rule have both been scrapped after the AFL Commission approved two crucial changes to the laws of the game for the 2026 season.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said he couldn’t wait for the sub rule to be abandoned in the wake of his team’s grand final defeat, and his wish has come true just days after Lachie Neale’s stunning second-half turn in Brisbane’s premiership victory.

Instead of having four players on the bench and a substitute, all teams will now have a fifth player available for rotations throughout the game. Rotations will remain at 75 per team.

It comes as music to the ears for Scott and most AFL coaches who have long bemoaned the sub rule that has often proved restrictive and impacted games late in quarters after losing players to injury.

“I’ll say one

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