That was a suggestion raised by Koroit at Monday night’s annual general meeting after the Saints struggled to field a seconds side in 2014.

Koroit put forward an idea for the reserves competition to reduce to 16-a-side with up to five on the bench for home-and-away games.

The Saints’ recommendation was to expand that to 18 on the field plus three subs for finals.

Koroit, which lacked depth this year, had a number of under 18½ players back up and play reserves.

Saints president Maurice Molan said the outlook at Victoria Park for next season was brighter but admitted seconds numbers ebbed and flowed.

“Basically we suffered pretty badly with a lack of numbers this year,” he said. 

“It’s not going to be a problem this year coming up but just because it’s not a problem for us, doesn’t mean it’s not a problem for others.

“It’s one of those cyclical things that the best way to solve it for everyone is to have less players.”

Molan said Koroit thought the idea was worth discussing but is not against retaining the status quo. 

“We’ll see what other clubs think,” he said.

“It affects different clubs at different times but maybe (this idea) is a longer-term thing.

“It seems harder and harder every year across the region to fill sides and you don’t want to lose reserves — they are an extremely valuable part of your club.”

Molan said Koroit had teenagers play two games a week in 2014 which was something the Saints wanted to eliminate in the future.

“You don’t feel good about that — you burn people out mentally and physically,” he said.

“It’s something you want to avoid at all costs.”  It was decided all clubs should take the Saints’ idea back to their respective committees before a decision was made. 

The suggestion came as figures compiled by The Standard revealed the number of regular players in the reserves competition is declining.

Three years ago, when the Hampden league had eight teams, the average number of players used was 59.63.

In 2013, following the introduction of Hamilton Kangaroos and Portland, it was 56.2 and this year it was 53.8. Remarkably some clubs are using up to 80 different players — many play one game for the season — to fill twos sides.

South Warrnambool used 69 players in the twos this year and 70 in 2013. Terang Mortlake had 81 and Port Fairy 73 run through their reserves programs in 2012. 

The structure of reserves competitions, not only in the Hampden league but across the south-west region, has been earmarked for review.

AFL Western District’s draft strategic plan, released for comment this week, said working groups needed to be established to look at the best format for senior competitions.

“This discussion needs to include the effectiveness of under 17, under 18½ and reserves grades across all affiliated leagues,” the report said.

Hampden president Hugh Worrall said the league was happy to discuss options to help strengthen the reserves.

But he said it was too early in the pre-season to have a fair indication of seconds numbers given many footballers committed to that grade are yet to start training.

“It’s an issue that’s been around for a long time,” he said of the numbers. “We have rules in place where clubs can play 16-a-side.

“(But) if clubs are strong enough and feel we need a change we are happy to look at it.”

justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au