HAMPDEN and Warrnambool and District league clubs will go head-to-head with the same top-age junior grades as a part of reforms suggested in a sweeping junior football review.
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Under 18 competitions will replace the Hampden league’s under 18.5 and the Warrnambool and District league’s under 17.5 grades under an AFL Western District review.
The changes are expected to come into effect in 2018, despite 70 per cent of Hampden league clubs arguing the age groups should not be the same.
In the district league, however, 73 per cent – or eight out of 11 clubs – voted in favour of making the top junior age groups the same.
The report, titled An examination of the current situation of Junior Football: HFNL and WDFNL, found the Hampden league had a greater chance of securing junior services as it offered four grades instead of the district league’s three.
It revealed clubs felt their was a “zig-zag” effect with players jumping between the two leagues, which was to the detriment of the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League.
The Warrnambool and District Football Netball League – which previously facilitated under 12, under 14.5 and under 17.5 grades – will now adopt under 12, under 15 and under 18 competitions.
The Hampden league, meanwhile, will move its under 18.5 grade back to under 18s.
In other recommendations, both clubs from both leagues will be allowed to field just 16 players with up to five on the bench from under 16s to under 12s.
MORE TO COME.