Magpies coach Mick Malthouse said his club's sports science department was investigating a possible link between the substitute rule, introduced this season, and an upward spike in injured players.
Malthouse has been a strident critic of the new rule, saying it is unfair, and he is calling for an increase in interchange players rather than a reduction.
But he held back from another whack at the rule on Thursday.
Instead, he alluded to it causing a higher attrition rate but was keen to see the evidence his sports scientists gathered on the subject.
"I'd like to think we get more evidence - our science division is all over that," Malthouse said.
"You can't just take a random four or five games and say that's a reflection of what this rule's going to be about.
"You've got to have solid evidence, and we'll get that solid evidence.
"We're calculating things right now in regard to the benefits we can take from that rule and take it forward."
Malthouse says the Magpies will be prepared to share their research - which is being done on behalf of the club - with the AFL "if they want it".
The AFL had introduced the substitute rule largely to reduce injuries.
Earlier this month, AFL doctor Hugh Seward said it could take several seasons to see whether the rule had been successful in that aim.
In 2011, clubs are allowed only three players on the interchange bench, rather than four in previous years, as well as one designated substitute.
- AAP
Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, collingwood-3066 First posted May 19, 2011 12:47:00
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