Carlton captain Chris Judd has urged AFL clubs to give the new substitute rule a chance - but has warned the planned concussion regulation could be more complex.

His comments came after reports the AFL would ban concussed players from returning to the field during matches this season.

A number of players suffering from mild concussion played on last year but the AFL has warned it will exert stricter controls over the issue.

The decision about whether an injured player returns will be solely up to the club's doctor.

If he is convinced the player has concussion he will be banned from returning to the field, no matter how he responses to standard questions.

However it is unclear what guidelines doctors will use to diagnose concussion.

Judd on Tuesday described the proposed new regulation as "interesting".

"Sometimes they're interesting ones," he said. "You'll just never get anyone concussed anymore.

"We'll wait and see how it pans out."

Similarly the two-time Brownlow medallist is not yet ready to condemn the new substitute rule which cuts the number of interchange players from four to three.

"I guess the risk is that if clubs use that sub too early and then get some injuries they may be tempted or forced to put injured players back out on the field," he said.

"I think that would be a concern of everybody's if the player's got concussion or something like that.

"The aerobic requirements of players - having that one less player rotating off the bench - is going to go through the roof.

"You probably don't want to jump at shadows. I think we'll suck it and see how it works.

"I think it will make a big change.

"Probably the general consensus is there's not a huge amount of (support) for it but the reality is all clubs are playing with the same rule."

Several coaches have criticised the new substitute rule, which was introduced this year in an attempt to address the burgeoning number of interchanges.

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