A Six-Pack Of IPA (Interesting Points, Allegedly): The most substituted players in Eagles, Freo, AFL history

The AFL’s substitute rule is set to be scrapped for next season - which means former Dockers forward Matt Taberner is in possession of a league record that may never be broken. The sub rule has been largely unpopular with coaches and players since its inception in 2011, with new AFL general manager Greg Swann indicating it won’t continue into 2026. The rule was first implemented as a tactical option in 2011, lasting for five seasons before being removed. It returned for two seasons from 2021 as a medical-only rule, before returning to a tactical sub for the past three campaigns. Taberner holds the mantle of the AFL’s most subbed-out player in history - and by a significant distance. The former Dockers spearhead was removed from matches 19 times, five more than the league’s next-most in David Hale (14). Having played 66 games in the era of the sub rule existing, Taberner was subbed out in 29 per cent of them - roughly one in every three matches in that span. A trio of WA footy greats are tied for the equal third-most times being substituted out, with 11 instances each: Outgoing Freo legend Nat Fyfe, retired West Coast champion Jeremy McGovern, and his Norm Smith-winning former Eagles teammate Luke Shuey. Hawthorn’s Luke Breust has the title of the AFL’s most frequent starting sub. The triple premiership forward started on the bench 22 times and was in contention to add to that tally for the Hawks’ preliminary final clash this week before his cruel ACL injury at VFL level. Former Port Adelaide fringe player Aaron Young is pound-for-pound the closest thing to a specialist starting sub the AFL has seen. In the era of the green vest between 2011 and 2015, Young began 20 of his 42 matches as the Power’s sub. Fremantle’s all-time starting sub leaders are Nick Suban and Neil Erasmus, with 13 instances each, while Pat McGinnity filled the role 12 times to lead all Eagles. Scroll down to see the AFL, Freo and West Coast leaders for most subbed in and most subbed out. ALL AFL PLAYERS Most times subbed on 22: Luke Breust (Haw) 20: Aaron Young (PA) 17: Daniel Giansiracusa (WB) 16: Jarryd Lyons (Adel/Bris), Billy Hartung (Haw) Most times subbed off 19: Matt Taberner (Fre) 14: David Hale (Haw) 11: Nat Fyfe (Fre), Luke Shuey (WC), Jeremy McGovern (WC), Ben Griffiths (Rich) FREMANTLE Most times subbed on 13: Nick Suban, Neil Erasmus 12: Tommy Sheridan 11: Hayden Crozier, Matt de Boer, Cam Sutcliffe Most times subbed off 19: Matt Taberner 11: Nat Fyfe 9: Clancee Pearce 8: Nick Suban 6: Alex Pearce, Sean Darcy, Luke McPharlin WEST COAST Most times subbed on 12: Pat McGinnity 10: Dom Sheed 9: Greg Clark 8: Andrew Gaff 7: Andrew Embley, Bradd Dalziell Most times subbed off 11: Luke Shuey, Jeremy McGovern 8: Xavier Ellis 7: Chris Masten, Jack Williams, Mitch Brown