Hepburn’s request to change reserves playing conditions to see teams field only 16 players - two less than usual – was met with little backing from clubs.

CHFL administrator Diane Ryan said just three other clubs supported the change for this year, with seven against the proposal and another seven failing to provide any feedback on the submission.

The league’s board of management subsequently rejected the proposal.

An email to clubs seen by The Courier outlines Hepburn’s concerns with the competition.

“The Hepburn FNC have concerns that declining numbers, having to rely on juniors to play two matches in a row and work commitments on a Saturday are having an impact on the reserves grade numbers,” it read.

After the proposal was tabled, the league’s board recommended that a shift to 16 players a side – for all matches including finals – be offered to clubs for consideration.

CHFL president Eddy Comelli has been a public supporter of the idea to trim on-field numbers to 16 in reserves football.

He told The Courier in August last year that the change was a “no brainer”.

The issue raised by Hepburn does not appear to be confined to the CHFL, with the then Ballarat Football Netball League operations manager Aaron Nunn also voicing his concerns about the same issue last season.

The CHFL’s interleague rival from last year, Horsham District Football League, is one competition in Victoria to have already made the shift to cut reserves numbers to  combat the dilemma of dwindling player stocks.

HDFL chairperson Graeme King last August described the move as a “total win in every point of view”.

Beaufort claimed its first reserves premiership in 50 years with victory over Buninyong last season.

The Crows beat the Bombers by 13 points at Eureka Stadium to claim the title. 

The new CHFL season is set to begin on Saturday, April 9.