THE AFL should consider reinstating the sub rule, says Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade.

Eade says with stricter enforcement of concussion protocols, teams are more prone to being exposed to playing with fewer players and rotations.

The veteran coach has proposed the current use of four interchange players with the addition of a substitute player who could only be used for a concussed player or one who is seriously injured and could not return.

The replaced player would also not be able to play the following week.

"I've thought about it a bit," Eade said.

"I can see concussion becoming more and more prevalent.

"The protocol they go through, and that's good for the AFL to do it, players are getting ruled out quicker.

"The AFL are going to be really strong on the concussion interpretation and some teams will lose two a week with concussion, and that will happen, there's no doubt that will happen.

"We've got to protect players, but by the same token, it's going to be unfair on teams."

The sub was abolished at the end of the 2015 season after five years in operation.

Gold Coast suffered injuries to Matt Rosa (hamstring) and Alex Sexton (broken arm) either side of quarter-time against Melbourne last weekend and neither player returned.

Eade said in that instance, his proposed change would have allow a sub to replace one of those players, who would then not be allowed to play this weekend.

"If you've got a player with cramp, well you don't replace him … and if you do replace him, you can't play him next week.

"That way you're going to mitigate against any unfair advantage with the player numbers."