An AFL memo sent to all 18 clubs has been widely criticised by greats within the game.
The memo sent out on Monday has been leaked with bosses warning coaches not to rest players in round 24.
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AFL administrator Greg Swann shared a warning for clubs in the league wide memo.
Swann reminded coaches of the AFL Rules on Clubs to “perform on one’s merits”, saying team selection will be scrutinised.
Fines could be handed out to any club deemed to have broken selection rules for the inaugural ‘wildcard weekend’.
The memo has attracted significant backlash with AFL great Mick Malthouse saying he would not have read it, and advised clubs to stomach potential fines.
“I was horrified that the AFL would put their noses into the clubs’ business … no one looks after the players better than the clubs, and no one knows how to get the best out of the players more than the clubs,” Malthouse said, as reported by Code Sports.
“It is an infringement on their rights as coaches and as match committees to choose the best for their teams.
“I wouldn’t have even bothered reading it (the memo).
“I can’t see how the AFL can do that remotely and then try to judge the selection and who is rested and who isn’t,” he said.
“Is it retrospective? Do they have a look at the Dogs because they rested (Aaron) Naughton and (Cody) Weightman last week? And Collingwood managed Scott Pendlebury earlier this year (before his record-breaking 433rd game).
“It’s just ridiculous.
“I am bemused that there are so many things being done on the run (by the AFL) and the ramifications are so big.
“Getting away from our tradition is killing me.
“We are losing our identity.
“The history and culture of our game is changing before our eyes … and now we are being told the AFL wants to help select the sides.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is also sceptical of the proposal and questioned how the AFL would be able to determine if a player was left out due to being rested rather than injured.
“I think 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,” he said on Fox Sports’ AFL 360.
“So I’m sure within the ranks of the teams that are certainties, you’re processing who needs a week off.
“It’s a long season. We’ve just had Naughts (Aaron Naughton) and Cody (Weightman) come out of the game, not because we wanted them to but it would have been too hard for them to play over in Perth.
“So, if you’re doing it this far out, you’re definitely going to do it the week before the wildcard.
“So, 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.”
Originally published as AFL slammed over big shake-up with legend leading backlash against of ‘ridiculous’ proposal