ASSESSMENT of potentially concussed players is at risk of being compromised if the substitute rule is removed, according to AFL Medical Officers' Association boss Dr Hugh Seward.

However he thinks even with a change, the advances in concussion management made in recent seasons can be maintained as long as administrators and coaches remain vigilant in prioritising the importance of properly assessing players suspected of being concussed.

"The [concussion sub] has enabled the doctors to remove an injured player and undertake a full assessment without fear of disadvantaging their team and without the normal pressure that is pretty intense on match day, to ensure they do the right thing by the player," Seward told AFL.com.au.

The experienced doctor was adamant he was not suggesting that removing the sub rule would compromise a doctor's ability to assess players but that the removal of the concussion sub would require extra diligence from everyone involved in the game.

"[It] has the potential to compromise the management of head injuries unless everyone recognises this [concussion] is a highly important issue and must have precedence over those normal pressures on getting the player back on the ground as quickly possible," Seward said.

Clubs and players have made significant inroads in recent seasons in recognising the importance of looking after players suspected to have suffered concussion as participants become more aware of the potential long-term effects of concussion if not properly treated.

Guidelines recommend 20 minutes as the optimal time required to assess a player suspected of concussion and AFL coaches and players have been unstinting in their support of the guidelines.

North Melbourne midfielder Leigh Adams announced his retirement last week due to the effects of a series of head knocks and the potential damage further concussive episodes might cause.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan indicated earlier in the week that he expected the sub rule would be removed for 2016, but an official decision on that and at what level the interchange will be capped is not expected until the AFL Commission receives a recommendation in either late August or September.