The two clubs have shared two reserves flags each over the past four years, but so far this season have faced a weekly battle with their “twos” numbers.

Both clubs have played with a full quota of 22 reserves players just once in their four games this year and have needed to call on some retired players to help boost their numbers.

However, the club that has faced the biggest battle for reserves numbers so far is Maryborough, which according to its team-sheets on the BFNL website has had no more than 17 players listed for a game.

The Magpies had just 11-listed players against Sandhurst in round two, needing to call on the Dragons for some players to top up.

A recent analysis of the BFNL transfer list for this year showed that the bulk of players lost by clubs – 202 of the 290 clearances lodged, or 69.6 per cent – had been to minor leagues, with that viewed as a key concern among a number of clubs as to their declining reserves numbers.

With the struggle for reserves numbers having been a recurring theme among several clubs during the pre-season, the Bendigo Advertiser has spoken to each about how they are faring with their “twos” numbers so far this year.

CASTLEMAINE

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 22.

Rd 3: 22. Rd 4: 22.

Players used: 88/88.

Percentage filled: 100.

“We’re in a strong situation numbers-wise. We’ve had four or five missing out each week and we’re basically just working on a rotation situation at the moment.

“The past three or four years had been a battle getting a side on the park, so last year we started trying to get a few of the older boys back to the club and to help create a bit of interest for the younger guys.” – Damian Bird (reserves coach).

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EAGLEHAWK

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 22.

Rd 3: 22. Rd 4: 22.

Players used: 88/88.

Percentage filled: 100.

“We had seven or eight miss out in round one, but since then we’ve had a lot of injuries and only just been able to field a side… we’ve had to bring up a couple of under-18s or fill-ins to help out on the bench.

“It’s a bit of a juggling act and probably no different to the past three or four years.” – Paul Whitford (president).

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GISBORNE

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 22.

Rd 3: 20. Rd 4: 22.

Players used: 86/88.

Percentage filled: 97.7.

“We’ve had some reasonable numbers, but our away games are always a bit of a problem.

“We were hit pretty hard by the Groovin’ The Moo concert in Bendigo a couple of weeks ago, so we had some fairly old players playing for us.

“We have numbers to call on, particularly because our Masters team is fairly strong in Gisborne, so we manage to get the numbers, but it’s not a good situation… we’ve got blokes playing for us from time to time who should just be playing Masters and that’s it.” – Colin Rodgers (president).

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GOLDEN SQUARE

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 21.

Rd 3: 20. Rd 4: 19.

Players used: 82/88.

Percentage filled: 93.1.

“Our numbers aren’t great and injuries don’t help either.

“But when you lose as many as we did from last year’s premiership side, it makes it hard and the depth isn’t there like it has been in recent years.

“We’ve lost a core of players in that 20 to 23-year age group who have gone to other clubs and hopefully, in a year or two some might come back.

“There’s a number of reasons why some have left - it could be money or opportunity, and it’s a disappointing situation to be in, but you struggle on.

“What it can do is give an under-18 player an opportunity, but the concern there is burning players out by playing an extra game, which is not fair on their body because they are still developing.” – Colin Rosa (president).

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KANGAROO FLAT

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 22.

Rd 3: 22. Rd 4: 22.

Players used: 88/88.

Percentage filled: 100.

“We’re probably at the other end of the scale. We’ve had to knock back as many as 12 players one week, but it has now come back a little bit.

“The reason for that is we recruited eight guys into our senior team, so there’s eight guys who would normally get a senior game that dropped back to the reserves, and we had fantastic player retention.” – Greg McClure (president).

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KYNETON

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 22.

Rd 3: 22. Rd 4: 22.

Players used: 88/88. 

Percentage filled: 100.

“We’re going alright for numbers in the reserves and we’ve been playing with a full compliment, so it’s situation normal for us.” – Rob Waters (president).

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MARYBOROUGH

Rd 1: 17. Rd 2: 11.

Rd 3: 17. Rd 4: 16.

Players used: 61/88.

Percentage filled: 69.3.

“Our numbers in the club are up on last year, but due to some injuries and unavailabilities, we’re suffering a little bit, but we always knew it was going to be a tough year in terms of re-stabilising and looking after our youth in terms of not playing them for two games, which is now club policy.

“There’s a lot of lack of communication and confirmation in the latter part of the week… we have players who have played with us over previous years who are picking and choosing when they play and just not letting us know, so what you think you have for the seconds doesn’t always end up that way.

“We’re in the phase of our rebuild where it’s a tough year and we’re not hiding away from that.” – Terry Hillier (president).

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SANDHURST

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 21.

Rd 3: 16. Rd 4: 18.

Players used: 77/88.

Percentage filled: 87.5.

“We’ve been a bit short, but a lot of that has been due to injuries.

“However, with a complete list then we’d have a couple of players sitting out.

“The problem at the moment with our injuries is we bring a couple of blokes in one week, but then lose another couple, so it’s a bit of a tough spot.” – Chris Greene (president).

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SOUTH BENDIGO

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 22.

Rd 3: 22. Rd 4: 22.

Players used: 88/88.

Percentage filled: 100.

“We’re in a lot better position than we have been over the past couple of years.

“We’ve added a lot of depth to our club and are happy with how our reserves are tracking.

“We’re not needing to bring up under-18s or anything like that, we’ve got a fairly full squad.” – Rick Townsend (president).

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STRATHFIELDSAYE

Rd 1: 22. Rd 2: 22.

Rd 3: 22. Rd 4: 22.

Players used: 88/88.

Percentage filled: 100.

“At the moment – touch wood – we’re placed better than a few other clubs that I know of, but that being said, we’re only a couple of injuries away from running short.

“It’s a week-to-week proposition for us and put it this way… we haven’t had to leave anyone out yet.

“We’re still looking for players and while the ladder may say we’re going along okay, we’re certainly not as well placed as we have been in other years.” – Michael Farrell (president).