WESTERN District Bowls Division is hoping the removal of one rink from its top grade gives smaller clubs a fighting chance of toppling powerhouse rivals.
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In the bold move, division one teams will field just 12 players across three rinks.
Previously, 16 players suited up within four rinks.
The division has also introduced a new division five to ensure players don't miss out as a result of reduced numbers in higher grades.
It comes after City Memorial - one of the south-west's traditional power clubs - last year ended Warrnambool's six-year stranglehold on the division.
Warrnambool has played in more than 25 consecutive division one grand finals in one of south-west sport's greatest dynasties.
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Western District Bowls Division deputy chairman Barry Padgham expected the ruling to spark mixed reviews.
But Padgham, who plays for Koroit, also hoped the new format would help to equalise the league.
"I don't see the stronger sides getting any stronger," he told The Standard.
"Taking four players out of the division one side will filter down the line and help to strengthen smaller clubs.
"I think smaller clubs like Mortlake, Timboon and Terang may well benefit from the change."
Warrnambool Bowls Club's Paul O'Donnell said his club would be strengthened by the move.
He said the switch up would bolster his club from top to bottom.
"It will strengthen our division two side. We've had some come in and cleared a few out but I think we'll see it strengthen us as a flow-on effect," O'Donnell said.
"We're probably similar to most other clubs. I think the deletion of a fourth rink will even competition.
"A lot of clubs are saying they're four or five players short so I think it will eradicate that problem."
Koroit secretary Peter Daly echoed O'Donnell's words. He predicted a rise in quality across the board and suggested his club's division one side would reap rewards.
Timboon secretary Barry Bowen said the injection of three quality recruits meant his club was brimming with confidence leading into Saturday's season-opener against Mortlake.
Bowen said while the board's decision meant his club would be stronger in all divisions, he was wary Warrnambool and City Memorial would also be harder to beat.
"I think with the quality of bowlers we've got in division one, we'll give most teams a run for their money," he said.
"(The rule change) has strengthened our division one and three but I think the Warrnambool clubs will be even stronger than they were last year.
"It will improve the standard overall but the bigger clubs will be stronger but we still expect to do better than we did last season."
Saturday pennant begins this weekend.
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