AFL warns clubs against resting players ahead of wildcard round

The Australian Football League (AFL) sent a memo to all clubs reminding them that team‑selection decisions in the lead‑up to the finals will be closely scrutinised. The warning comes as the league’s new wildcard weekend removes the pre‑finals bye for teams finishing seventh to tenth, creating pressure to rest players before a knockout final.

AFL football boss Greg Swann stressed the obligation to “perform on one’s merits”, while Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and Melbourne coach Steven King publicly criticised the directive, arguing clubs must retain the right to manage fatigue and injuries. The AFL introduced a pre‑finals bye in 2016 after earlier incidents of mass resting, but the wildcard format has revived the debate over player management ahead of the finals.