The AFL has put all clubs on notice in regards to team selection in the lead-up to finals as the prospect of players being rested looms large.

AFL football boss Greg Swann sent a memo to all clubs, reminding them of their obligation to “perform on one’s merits”, but the move has been immediately slammed by two senior coaches, as well as pundits.

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The concept of resting players in the final round is back on the agenda 10 years after the league introduced a pre-finals bye to combat the issue.

Back in 2015, Fremantle and North Melbourne both rested over a third of their team as their finishing positions were largely unaffected.

In the case of the Dockers, it was third time in a six-year period they had done it. The AFL responded by introducing a pre-finals bye in 2016, which ultimately put the resting debate to dead.

But now the wildcard round is back and so is the opportunity to rest players.

Fremantle are virtually assured of the minor premiership, while there is every chance other teams in wildcard positions might be locked in regardless of their final-round result.

That means clubs might want to give some of their older players a rest ahead of a knockout final the week after. Collingwood, in particular, might be locked into eighth or ninth position and a MCG knockout final regardless of what happens in Round 24.

AFL memo to clubs Credit: Seven

But the AFL will be watching closely with AFL football boss Greg Swann sending a memo to all clubs this week.

“Please be reminded of the obligation in the AFL rules to ‘perform to one’s merits’, meaning that clubs must perform honestly and to the best of their ability,” the memo says.

“While legitimate player management of player fatigue or injuries is permitted, the AFL will scrutinise team selection decisions in the lead-up to AFL finals in the context of this rule.”

Coaches Luke Beveridge and Steven King were asked about the memo on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“I’d question how the AFL could question a club, because you’re questioning the medical department from a club as well,” Beveridge said.

While the Bulldogs coach was somewhat diplomatic, King didn’t mince his words.

“I’m the coach of the Melbourne Footy Club. I’ll make any decision that’s best for our football club and best for the management of our players,” he said.

St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt backed the coaches and questioned why the AFL would send the memo.

“They’re absolutely right. Like, who do the AFL think they are telling clubs how to best prepare themselves to win a premiership?” He said on The Agenda Setters.

“It’s absolutely ludicrous, and I don’t see any way that they can actually enforce it.

“So you can hide behind anything you like. He’s a bit sore, he’s got a calf, and how is this any different to Collingwood resting a player so you can celebrate when you want to celebrate?”

“Stick your nose out, AFL, it’s got nothing to do with you.”

Kane Cornes agreed: “I think if you fight 23 weeks to get yourself in a position where you have the luxury to be able to rest your players for finals, then you’ve got every right, you’ve earned that decision that you can make.”

“That letter that you broke tonight on the news, that’s not going to sway the clubs, they’ll just be less obvious.”

Leading newsbreaker Caroline Wilson hoped the Swann would fix the issue that stems from former CEO GIllon McLachlan’s overreaction at the time.

“It can affect other teams because the North Melbourne decision back in 2015 affected Adelaide and where they were going to finish in the eight,” she said.

“So it is an issue. The AFL overreacted at the time. Gillon invented the pre-finals bye.

“I think they should have worked out a more pragmatic solution and let’s just hope that Greg Swann can do that this year.”