Hampden reserves' player number issue brings 16-a-side concept to the forefront again

A change would mean all 10 clubs would field 16 players in the seconds each week instead of the regular 18.

Teams would have the option of up to five players on the bench under the rule.

The idea has been floated for a number of seasons and is again at the forefront of discussions following Port Fairy's decision to forfeit last weekend.

Clubs can currently agree to play 16 with up to five on the bench on a weekly basis to cover shortfalls.

Injuries and unavailability have forced Hamilton Kangaroos and South Warrnambool to play 16-a-side on Saturday.

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Hampden league president Tim Mason said the concept was one under consideration to help combat the ongoing issue.

"A forum was held on Monday night and again the idea of playing 16-a-side in the reserves was raised, as it was a few years ago and at last year's AGM," he said.

"The current by-laws allow for the game to be played with 16-a-side. As a group we will continue to look at ways to support all of our clubs and implement changes where necessary."

Mason said the Seagulls' forfeit highlighted the plight clubs were facing.

"As a league we are always concerned if a club cannot field a team in any grade of football," he said.

"It is unfortunate at this time of year there have been a number of injuries that have stretched the playing resources of some of our clubs and this was certainly the case for Port Fairy who had upwards of 20 players injured or unavailable.

"The league has a number of football forums throughout the year where we discuss issues that the league might be facing and as a group we discuss potential solutions."

South Warrnambool reserves coach Leigh Anderson is an advocate for a permanent 16-a-side competition.

"We are all for it and have been all along," he said.

"If it is 16-a-side plus five on the bench, it's still 21 players."

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Anderson said the option of playing with less players would ease the burden on clubs because it was getting "harder and harder to get players".

"You are not going to be chasing older guys to fill in and if you have 21, that's fine, play 21," he said.

"It would open the game up (having 16 on the field) and give a good opportunity to use the space."

Hamilton Kangaroos chairman John Pepper said a permanent 16-a-side season was "probably worth a fair bit of consideration".

"Someone who has 21 has five on the bench and someone with 18 has two on the bench," he said.

"As a club, if you're struggling for numbers, if you haven't got to find an extra couple it can make a big difference."

Anderson and Pepper said their respective clubs were OK for reserves numbers overall but had been hit by injury and unavailability.

But Pepper warned it would "be a bit more of a struggle as years go on".

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