Coach Brett Fitzpatrick named a training squad of 53 players on Friday and at first glance the lack of depth in key position forward talent shapes as the major issue looking ahead to next month’s clash with Gippsland at Warragul.

Fitzpatrick disagrees. The former Sandhurst and Castlemaine coach said the flexibility of the BFNL squad, particularly forward of centre, was exciting.

“There doesn’t seem to be a standout key forward in the league at the moment, but that absence of a couple of big forwards could become a strength,’’ Fitzpatrick said.

“We’re going to have plenty of options and we won’t be predictable.”

While Sandhurst’s Matt Thornton and Golden Square’s Ryan Herring appear to be the two most likely key forwards to play next month, the BFNL forward six could easily be made up of a combination of agile mid-sized and small forwards in Kyneton dynamo Ben Weightman, Strathfieldsaye trio Lachlan Sharp, Harry Conway and Jake Hall, Sandhurst duo Joel Wharton and Nick Stagg and Kangaroo Flat speedster Rhys Healey.

“The interest from coaches and players has been great so far and I’m very happy with the squad we’ve assembled,’’ Fitzpatrick said.

“We have plenty of depth through the midfield and it’s going to be very hard to select six defenders.”

Fitzpatrick said Sandhurst recruit Kristan Height, an inter-league regular with the GVFL over the years, was keen to represent the BFNL in his first year in the league.

Fitzpatrick said additions could be made to the squad.

BFNL training squad for the game with Gippsland on May 21 in Warragul.

Castlemaine: Justin Dorward, Jarryd Graham, Kal Huntly.

Eaglehawk: Brodie Collins, Jesse Collins, Brenton Conforti, Glenn Daly, Tim Hill, Tyler Miles, Ben McPhee.

Gisborne: Jarrad Lynch.

Golden Square: Adam Baird, Travis Baird, Jon Coe, Brayden Dorrington, Jack Geary, Ryan Herring, Dylan Johnstone, Chris Ryan, Tom Toma.

Kangaroo Flat: Corey Greer, Rhys Healey, Tom Holman, Nic Lang, Hunter Lloyd, Marty Kelly.

Kyneton: Dan Davie, Ethan Foreman, Max O’Sullivan, Ben Weightman.

Maryborough: Ethan Crackel, Coby Perry.

Sandhurst: Lee Coghlan, Kristan Height, Blair Holmes, Codie Price, Lachlan Ross, Nicholas Stagg, Matt Thornton, Joel Wharton.

South Bendigo: Liam Bartels, Isaiah Miller, Blair Whelan.

Strathfieldsaye: Harry Conway, Bryce Curnow, Jayden Donaldson, Trent Donnan, Kallen Geary, Jake Hall, Sam Heavyside, Jake Moorhead, Michael Pilcher, Lachlan Sharp.