The medical substitution rule was hastily introduced on the eve of the 2021 season and was only meant to be used if it was reasonably determined a player would be medically unfit to participate in any match for at least the next 12 days.

But players who are subbed off are often cleared to play the next week, sparking questions about whether coaches have been exploiting the rule to gain a tactical advantage.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has come under fire after subbing off Ben Miller for the speedy Maurice Rioli midway through the final quarter of last week’s draw with Fremantle.

Miller didn’t have a visible injury but Hardwick strongly denied the subbing was used for tactical purposes, saying the tall defender was battling a calf complaint.

Beveridge said the best way for the confusion to be taken out of it is by scrapping the medical sub rule and instead allow coaches to field five-man benches.

“Right at the start, quite simply, my drive was just if we think we need one (interchange player) as a buffer for concussion, don’t make it a sub,” Beveridge said.

“Just say you’ve got five on the interchange and can use them if you want.

“And that will add a bit of tactical intrigue.

“I’m not going to circulate five players during the game. Four is almost one too many anyway.

“So you’re likely going to sit one down until you really need that player.

“You could introduce that player for a quarter here and there and it creates a different angle. All it does is it removes all the red tape.

“We don’t have to explain ourselves if you take a player out of the game and it’s just so simple, but we don’t usually make simple, practical decisions, unfortunately.”

AAP