The Central Highlands Football League is still contemplating a structural change to the reserves competition with fears it could be faced with a lack of playing numbers as the sport emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It remains relatively unknown how strong the seconds division will be in 2021, with mixed opinions on the impacts of a missed 2020 season.
CHFL seniors and reserves grades were abandoned this year due to the pandemic, but some junior rounds were played before tighter restrictions saw those divisions also scrapped.
Back in August, CHFL president Doug Hobson said the idea to move to a 16-per-side reserves division had been knocked down by clubs as recently as last year, but believed there might be a different feeling if the submission was put up for vote again.
The discussion continued at the league's annual general meeting last week and Hobson said lowering team numbers in the reserves remained a possibility.
"Everybody is a bit unsure what their reserves numbers are going to be like and it is an option we have still got on the table," Hobson said.
"We asked the clubs at (the AGM), and I know it's very hard for them to see what their numbers are like, but most of them were reasonably confident with their numbers.
"But until next February and March rocks around, you don't fully know what available players you've got.
"And realistically, we do need a healthy reserves to have a healthy seniors."
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Hobson said other options could be looked at if player numbers became an issue across the competition.
He said it remained unclear what COVID-safe protocols would be in place by April next year and whether the time needed to implement those would make it difficult to complete all grades of matches on the one day.
Playing all games of junior and senior football and netball between two opposing clubs on the same day each round is a hallmark of the CHFL, while the Ballarat league has club sides playing across different days.
"We would prefer to try and get all our matches done on a Saturday rather than have to bring people along on a Friday night or a Sunday just to do a few junior matches," Hobson said.
Hobson also remained confident that all 17 member clubs would be right to go next season and the COVID-19 pandemic wouldn't see any of them fold or be forced to go into recess.
The 2021 CHFL season is set to begin on April 17 and conclude with the grand finals on September 11 at Mars Stadium.
