AFL coaches push back against sanctions threat over resting players

The AFL's warning to clubs about resting players before the newly introduced wildcard round has not gone down well with coaches.

Clubs have been threatened with sanctions if they decide to make mass changes for their games in round 24.

"While legitimate player management of player fatigue or injuries is permitted, the AFL will scrutinise club team selection decisions in the lead-up to AFL finals," AFL football boss Greg Swann wrote in a memo to clubs on Monday.

The AFL has had a pre-finals bye since 2016, allowing the top-eight teams a week off before the last month of the season.

But with the finals system effectively becoming a top-10 due to the wildcard weekend, not every club will be afforded that luxury should they qualify.

Teams ranked seventh to 10th at the end of the home-and-away season will have to back up and play the following week.

The top-six will all rest before preparing for respective qualifying and elimination finals, starting on September 3.

The Western Bulldogs are almost certain to finish in the wildcard bracket, creating a dilemma for coach Luke Beveridge.

"The main consideration for the teams who might be certainties to play a wildcard game going into that round is the fact that the six teams above the seventh have all got a week off," Beveridge told Fox Footy.

"I'm sure within the ranks of the teams that are certainties, you're processing who needs a week off.

"I'd question how the AFL could question a club, because you're questioning the medical department from a club as well, if that happens."

Steven King, in his rookie season as Melbourne coach, was also left perplexed by the AFL's directive.

"I'm the coach of the Melbourne footy club," he told Fox Footy.

"I'll make any decision that's best for our football club and best for the management of our players."

Fremantle famously made 10 changes for their final home-and-away game in 2013, leading to them being thrashed by struggling St Kilda.

The following week, the Dockers pulled off a historic qualifying-final win in Geelong over the highly fancied Cats.

In 2015, North Melbourne rested nine players ahead of a finals campaign when they lost against Richmond.

The move paid off for the Kangaroos, who turned the tables on the Tigers in an elimination final and also won a semi-final in Sydney.

Former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott rested nine players in the final round of the 2015 season, while Ross Lyon made 10 changes in the final round of the 2013 season when he was in charge of Fremantle.