Koroit suggested the seconds adopt a 16-a-side format, with up to five on the bench,  for next season at the league’s annual general meeting last week.

The Saints’ proposal included teams fielding 18 on the field, with three subs,  for finals.

Terang Mortlake coach Matt Irving says “ressies footy is the lifeblood of a footy club” but believes it is imperative preventative measures are put in place to ensure its longevity.

“A lot of blokes love having a kick with their mates in the twos,” he said.

“But in saying that, we have been (in the past) on the end of not having numbers.

“You’d love to keep reserves footy and if that means to go to 16-a-side, that’s something the league and (AFL Western District region manager) Lachy Patterson will look at in the review.”

Irving lamented players leaving major leagues after their senior careers finished. 

“A lot of players get to senior level and play good senior footy for a long time and don’t go back and play reserves. They either pull the pin and retire or go to a district league,” he said.

“A lot of money thrown around in the district league is very inviting.

“That is footy in general. I have a lot of mates in the Geelong league who find it hard to compete as well.”

Irving said junior participation was also dropping and was a concern for the wider football community.

Warrnambool coach Scott Carter is a strong supporter of a reduced twos competition.

The Blues premiership mentor said “in years to come it’s going to get harder and harder to field sides” and believes lowering numbers might ease the burden at the selection table.

“I am in favour of 16-a-side. I think it is a good idea and would save clubs and reserves coaches a lot of time on Friday nights and Saturday mornings (trying to find players),” he said.

“Up to five on the bench is fair. If you have up to 21 players then one side should be able to field a full side.

“We have enough for two sides but won’t have an abundance of numbers.”

Carter said the Blues’ seconds were paramount to the club’s livelihood. 

“I have found our reserves to be the social backbone of the club,” he said.

“They put a lot of hard work in socially and enjoy their footy.”

Camperdown coach Phil Carse, who has relocated to the south-west from Queensland for the 2015 Hampden league season, said it was important that as many players got a game of football as possible.

“In Queensland we ran a similar rule. If one team didn’t have enough numbers it was up to the other team’s discretion to go to 16,” he said.

Carse said it was important “common sense was adopted to get a good outcome” if the 16-a-side rule was implemented.

“If teams did have enough numbers maybe it could be agreed to go to 18,” he said. 

Portland coach Luke Crane said a decrease in reserves numbers could prove detrimental and encourage players to move to minor leagues for more game time, “especially if you’re not getting a run”.

“From my point of view I’d rather it stay as it is,” he said.

“(But) like every club at this time of year you’re not sure but we’re usually all right for numbers.

“Five on the bench is hard to rotate and you don’t have two positions on the ground,  so it’d make it hard.”

Crane, who is thrilled Chris Finlayson has signed as Tigers’ under 18½ coach, said he understood it was harder for some clubs to attract and retain seconds numbers.

“We have been pretty lucky I suppose. We had five or six miss out on our grand final side this year,” he said.

“It is always hard during the year with injuries and stuff but generally we are lucky.”

Hamilton Kangaroos coach Jarrod Holt said he was content with the rules in their current form.

He said it was important clubs worked diligently to embrace all grades — both football and netball — to help maintain numbers.

“Some clubs throw all their eggs into one basket, for senior footy for example, and neglect the rest,” Holt said.