AFL ditches centre bounce for men's game, and sub rule after grand final criticism

The AFL has announced it will get rid of the centre bounce and the designated substitute as part of its rule changes for next season.

From 2026 onwards, the ball will be thrown into the air to start games, as it has been in AFLW since its inception.

In the men's game, the bounce was introduced at the start of quarters in 1887, while the use of a centre bounce after a goal was scored came in four years later.

"The centre bounce has long been a part of Australian Football tradition, but as the game has evolved, there are several areas which will benefit from allowing umpires to simply throw the ball up at the restart," AFL executive football manager Greg Swann said.

"Currently, umpire pathways are being narrowed by the requirement of the bounce. It is a difficult skill to execute, and we believe is preventing some of our best umpiring prospects from progressing any further in the AFL pathway despite having elite decision-making skills."

The sub rule has also been ditched in favour of a five-player interchange bench.

The sub rule was criticised by Geelong coach Chris Scott after the Cats' loss in this year's grand final.

Geelong star forward Jeremy Cameron injured his arm in the second quarter in a collision with teammate Patrick Dangerfield, but stayed in the game before coming off again after hurting himself in a one-handed tackle on Brisbane's Jaspa Fletcher.

Scott said after the game that uncertainty over the severity of Cameron's injury made it difficult to manage the timing of making the sub.

In the end Geelong subbed Rhys Stanley in a tactical move. Scans later showed that Cameron had broken his arm and would require surgery.

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