The SANFL will consider a cap on rotations of 60 per match next season to address concerns the tactic is getting out of control and contributing to serious injuries.

The SANFL Laws of the Game Committee made the decision last week after approaches from several clubs in the State league and will send its recommendation to the SANFL Commission today.

Currently hovering around the 90 mark, rotations have steadily climbed since 2009.

It’s understood the Laws Committee review was based on fairness, injury and congestion.

Various changes to the interchange system were discussed by the committee, including increasing the bench to four, having an AFL style system of three interchange players and a substitute, or having a cap on rotations.

The SANFL move mirrors concerns at AFL level that rotations had got out of hand; at the start of the 2014 season, the AFL level capped them at 120.

In the 2013 season, AFL grand finalist Fremantle topped the interchange “ladder” with 146, followed by Adelaide (144.1), Greater Western Sydney (142), premiers Hawthorn (141.7) and Geelong (140.7).

In last year’s AFL Grand Final, Hawthorn had 130 interchange rotations, while the Dockers had 129.

The SANFL Laws of the Game Committee is chaired by SA Football Commissioner Dion McCaffrie.

It also includes 2011 Eagles premiership coach Michael Godden, North Adelaide co-captain Greg Gallman, SANFL general manager football Chris Davies, SANFL football services manager and Sturt player Matt Duldig, SANFL umpiring manager Shane Harris and Central District chief executive Kris Grant.

SANFL ROTATION NUMBERS
(Average rotations per match)
2009 – 34.3
2010 – 45.7
2011 – 50.2
2012 – 57.4
2013 – 75.8
2014 – 87.3