Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna has vented his anger over the AFL's controversial substitutes rule, claiming it has increased the chance of stars such as Gary Ablett injuring themselves.

McKenna was made to pay dearly for subbing off fit big man Daniel Gorringe for goalsneak Brandon Matera late in the second quarter of Saturday's 50-point loss to Fremantle at a wet Patersons Stadium.

The Suns led by three points at half-time but were slaughtered 10 goals to two in the second half as Sam Day (knee), Zac Smith (head), Josh Fraser (foot) and Sam Iles (foot) battled injury.

McKenna said he had little choice but to play Day, Fraser and Iles under duress in the second half due to the limited options he had at his disposal after making the early sub.

"I have been (frustrated with the rule) from day one and I don't think it changes, certainly today," McKenna said.

"To have a fit bloke (Gorringe) sitting there (and not allowed to come back on when) you've already lost three (to injury) ...

"I like to see Gary Ablett out there and again he's had 93 per cent of game time, which we're trying to reduce that.

"We got it down to 91 and I know he flashes up to 94 per cent now - that's great, that's great for the public and even great for me, it gives us a better chance of winning.

"But over the course of the season, that 94 per cent adds up and at some stage he'll hurt himself, he'll get injured because of the cumulative load and we're trying to manage that the best we possibly can.

"Most of our injuries mind you are sort of impact injuries but you can see with other sides now - (Jobe) Watson's re-torn his hamstring.

"It's sort of excess load that's gone into these boys, because you can't rotate as much, so it makes it difficult with three on the bench."

McKenna said he expected Day to miss up to three weeks with his injury, but Smith, Fraser and Iles are a chance to play in Saturday's home clash with Sydney.

Defender Nathan Bock spent a crucial part of the second quarter off the ground due to illness, with Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich making the most of his absence to boot three quick goals.

"Obviously he had something bad for breakfast, so that didn't agree with him," McKenna said of Bock.

"So he had to get off and relieve himself a few times during the game which wasn't great because I thought he was doing a really good job on Pav."

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