The AFL's push to restrict interchange numbers is polarising opinion among coaches, with Mick Malthouse saying opposition to the proposal is "a waste of time".

The veteran Collingwood coach said on Wednesday that the league is determined to push ahead with some form of cap on interchange numbers during games, despite club feedback.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten is also against any rule that restricts interchanges, saying it would affect the career longevity of the game's top players.

Western Bulldogs Rodney Eade also wants no interchange cap but Geelong's Mark Thompson welcomes the idea.

"We're not involved in the change ... once they (the AFL) get things in their mind, things are going to change," Malthouse said.

"We have to listen to the experts and the experts at our football club and other clubs are saying that interchanges in fact help footballers to be able to get through a season.

"I have a very strong view and it's a waste of time ... none of our recommendations or considerations or data (have) been considered.

"If that is denied, we would still be in debate over it, but are clearly going to be told from a long way back what to expect for next year.

"The only thing you can do is prepare for next year's change."

Interchange will be high on the agenda at next month's laws of the game committee meeting.

The AFL is concerned that there is a direct link between a growing injury rate and the explosion in interchange rates over the last few seasons.

The league also is worried about how greater use of the bench affects game style and it has raised the issue of fairness, where teams are more likely to lose if a player is injured early in the game.

Collingwood were one of the first clubs to use the bench much more often and it has undoubtedly proved a successful tactic.

Collingwood (a league-high 130 rotations per game in 2010) and the Bulldogs (third with 123) argue their injury rates have declined in the last few seasons.

Malthouse and Ratten, who held a media conference on Wednesday morning to promote Saturday's match between their arch-rival clubs, also argue more interchanges help players stay in the game.

Ratten said that if the league caps interchange numbers, then perhaps it should also consider overhauling the fixture.

"Maybe that might be something we have to look at - the season and how long that is, and even recovery time - do we need to make the games a minimum seven days (apart)?" Ratten said.

"We have to make sure the welfare of the players is first and foremost, because if we're asking them to do extra work out there and they can't recover from week-in, week-out, what's the longevity of a Chris Judd?

"We want these players to play into their 30s, it's very critical to make sure that we keep the best players out on the park - we're going to an 18-team competition, the talent pool is getting less."

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