Harris, a former Port Fairy mentor, slammed the decision which says junior sides must field 16 players instead of the regulation 18. 

It means just five players will make up the bench.

Harris said the “16 and five” model went against the history of the sport and meant juniors would have a tougher transition to senior football.

“They are effectively trying to change at least 120 years of Australian rules history,” he said.

“For a hundred years we’ve been playing with 36 blokes on the ground – why, all of a sudden, should we play 32 on the ground? It’s no good.

(Playing 18-a-side) is essential for a junior player’s development, especially when he goes to a higher level or senior football.”

The 55-year-old, who also suited up for the Brisbane Bears and St Kilda in an AFL career spanning six seasons, said player capping wouldn’t work in regional areas.

“Capping might work in a centralised area. It certainly can’t in the country,” Harris said.

“The other thing is – the parents of the kids that can’t get a game don’t buy memberships, they don’t have a few beers at the bar, they don’t buy raffle tickets.

“It becomes a financial smash as well.”

He encouraged the Hampden league’s 11 clubs to pursue an appeal against the recommendations contained in the junior review.

“(AFL Western District) have stood their ground – but if they get beaten – is everybody supposed to be hunky dorey?,” Harris said.

“But I think their positions become untenable if they lose the appeal. It’ll be interesting.

“As if our volunteers at clubs want to go down the path of… appealing the changes.

“Surely 11 Hampden clubs can’t all be wrong.

“18 plus four or six would be a better option and just let the kids play.”

AFL Victoria refused to involve itself in the matter, saying the decision rested with its western district sub-body.

It comes after a united Hampden league group – with representatives from all 11 clubs – revealed they were weighing up an appeal against every recommendation into the junior review.

It is understood the group is exploring legal avenues after crisis talks with AFL Western District ended with no resolution mid-week.

The review was released in December.