RODNEY Eade has weighed in on the debate of resting players, saying he has no problems with finals-bound teams doing so, but says it's a totally different story for those in the bottom half.
Since North Melbourne followed Fremantle's lead of changing almost half of its team for Friday night's match against Richmond, the footy world has been divided on the issue.
Eade says from a coaching perspective he totally understands, and fans of that club should too.
The Gold Coast coach said it was "all about the end game" and freshening players for the finals was fine in his book.
However, when asked whether the AFL's acceptance of the move could backfire in years to come if bottom-half teams rested players late in the season, Eade's attitude was blunt.
He said they were completely different scenarios.
"The way the rule is written, I'd think if you're trying to get down the ladder for draft picks, it's obvious," Eade said.
"I think this (current move) is a proactive thing to be positive about your team.
"The other way is reactive, to be negative to get a gain out of it in terms of draft, and I think that'd be jumped on."
Eade said he still hoped to affect the finals make-up with his Suns taking on top-four hopefuls the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday night.
Despite a wretched season on many fronts, Eade said he was still optimistic of causing a boilover.
He pointed to the Suns' recent draw with second-placed West Coast, and the seven-point defeat earlier this year against minor premier Fremantle.
"Realistically, Sydney are playing at home and they've got a full-strength side just about, so it's going to be a difficult task," he said.
"We've been in games up until three quarter-time every week for the last eight or nine weeks.
"We've been competitive, our attitude has been terrific, spirit has been great, it's probably in the end a bit of experience, a bit of talent, a bit of fitness has hurt us, but we've been competitive against the best sides.
"If the effort and work ethic is there, you never know."
