CTV > Cameron Wood post-match interview
CTV > Mick Malthouse's post-match press conference

COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has called on the league to expand the interchange bench to allow for injuries, after his side slumped to a 10-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

The Magpies lost Ben Reid in the second term with a suspected broken foot, while veteran Anthony Rocca was sidelined with an ankle injury in the third quarter.

Collingwood led by as much as 23 points in the third term before fading against the charging Bulldogs, who had a full bench of fit players at the end of the game.

"I've got no doubt today that we just didn't have the flexibility in the end to hold on and get back in the game at the right time, or put more pressure on them," Malthouse said.

"But that's the luck of the draw under today's rules."

"There's almost a case for the bench being enlarged to have players that are just for injured players.

"You have to be able to convince the powers that be that you've got a legitimate injured player that can't come back on. I think there's a lot of substance to that.

Malthouse said he wasn't "whinging" after the Pies' second consecutive loss, and suggested the extra player could be brought onto the bench at the end of the quarter in which the injured player was hurt.

"I'm of the opinion that when members pay their money, they want to see their team to be able to win, lose or draw, at least play with an even playing field, if you can possibly get that.

"It's very difficult to win with 20 players these days. Very, very difficult, because it throws your whole lot out. We lost Ben very early and Anthony in the third quarter so it cut us down."

"I don't know how you do it ... you may need an AFL official or ... a doctor there, but when it's conclusive the player is injured, like Ben Reid and his broken foot, he's not coming back on."