Yes, it is true. Since the AFL introduced a fourth field umpire permanently for the 2023 season, there are generally no designated emergency field umpires present at the game.
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If one of the four field umpires is injured during the match and cannot continue, the game will proceed with three field umpires for the remainder of the match.
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Four-Umpire System: The move to four umpires in 2023 was designed to improve decision-making accuracy and reduce the physical load on officials, not necessarily to create a “substitute” system for injury.
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Injury Protocol: While the system is designed for four, it is configured to function with three, as occurred in trials (e.g., a 2018 match was reduced to three when a field umpire was forced off with a leg injury).
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Umpire Roster: The AFL expanded its senior field umpire list to support the four-umpire system (around 40-42 umpires), but they do not use a “sub” umpire on the bench during games.
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Therefore, if an injury occurs, the game continues with the remaining three umpires.