AFL football boss Greg Swann says clubs could be encouraged to field two frontline ruckmen after the commission approved rule changes to remove both the centre bounce and the substitute for the 2026 season.

The league announced the change on Wednesday after “extensive consultation with clubs, umpires, players and the AFLPA”.

Swann, the AFL’s manager of football performance, said the game had evolved, and removing the bounce would bring benefits in “several areas”.

“Currently, umpire pathways are being narrowed by the requirement of the bounce,” he said.

“It is a difficult skill to execute, and [one] we believe is preventing some of our best umpiring prospects from progressing any further in the AFL pathway, despite having elite decision-making skills.

“By removing the skill aspect o

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