The term management is set to become more customary in the AFL, and coaches have already begun using it.

Saving or managing players, especially stars, is a foreign concept in Australian rules football.

But the current demands of the game, compounded by the increased length of the season and capped interchange rotations, have already seen coaches manipulate how the game looks for their group.

Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker was subbed out (a rarity) in the club's Round 1 victory over St Kilda in the third quarter. The night before, Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury began as the fifth player on the bench, a feat never achieved in his 405 games (to that point).

Crows coach Matthew Nicks opted to do the same with Izak Rankine in Round 2 at the MCG, noting his trauma of losing his star player to a hamstring injury, which has been common at the venue for the former Sun.

"So much noise around it, we found ourselves in a situation for two weeks where through a little bit of luck with the health of our list and no contact injuries we can make decisions in games," Nicks said on Thursday.

"We have lost Izak to hammy (injuries) the last two games at the MCG prior to that, I'd be lying if I said there were not some scars in the back of my mind.

"It would be lovely to be in that position every week, and we will do what we can to manage players, but we know we will be challenged."

Pies coach Craig McRae described the Pendlebury decision as picking a team full of "transitional runners" that keep up with the early-season trends of fast-paced football.

"I'd been thinking about this for a long time, longer than that. We had a good chat about that," McRae said.

"To be honest, I was pretty keen to start him as sub last week. We talked through that. Six days after a travel. We had this game marked for over a month. This time of year is summer footy, it's hot, and it's transitional."

The Pies legend was also treated cautiously to ensure he'd be cherry ripe for Round 2 against the Western Bulldogs.

Admittedly, the decision to "manage" a starting 22 player could be for multiple reasons, such as the match being over, or injecting the youth that begins as the substitute or simply preparing for the weeks ahead that could see short turnarounds.

Rival codes rely on the management of their players for certain matches or parts of the season to ensure the longevity and durability of their team in pursuit of the ultimate glory.

The NBA and Soccer utilise a squad mentality, and the AFL is starting to as well.