Jeremy Cameron suffered a serious arm injury in the grand final, yet remained on the ground while Rhys Stanley was subbed out, prompting questions about coach Chris Scott's strategy.
What happened?
The injury occurred during Saturday's grand final, with Cameron leaving the ground twice to receive medical attention, only to return and continue playing.
Cameron's arm was in a sling after the game, and captain Patrick Dangerfield reported hearing a "pretty big snap" when the forward went down.
Why it matters for Jeremy Cameron
The decision to keep Cameron on the ground has sparked intense debate among fans and experts, with many questioning Scott's judgment in prioritizing the forward's presence over his well-being.
And some fans were quick to criticize Scott's decision, with one saying "it's interesting it's a workplace when it suits but keeping a player playing when he's clearly in distress is questionable".
What comes next?
Scott addressed the situation after the game, expressing his hope that the sub rule would be revised, citing the difficulties it posed in planning and decision-making during the match.
The coach explained that the medical team needed time to assess the severity of Cameron's injury, which was unclear until late in the second quarter, as he said "we were just waiting and waiting and waiting, we couldn’t make that sub while waiting for clarity there".
But fans remain unconvinced, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and frustration with the coaching decision, as one fan commented "what must be going through Rhys Stanley’s head, being subbed off instead of the bloke with a broken arm, rough".
So the debate continues, with Jeremy Cameron's injury and Scott's decision likely to be a major talking point in the days and weeks to come, as the AFL community discusses the implications of the sub rule and player safety.
The grand final took place on Saturday, with the Cats ultimately losing to Brisbane, and the aftermath has been marked by intense scrutiny of Scott's tactics, including the decision to sub out Rhys Stanley, who was replaced by Jack Martin in the final quarter.