TROUBLE could be brewing in the Central West AFL lower grades for 2015 after a couple of clubs revealed their numbers may not allow them to enter sides.
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Cowra and Dubbo look to be in dire straits in terms of filling both those grades, and according to CWAFL general manager Tony Lewis, it could destroy the competitions altogether.
"There are grave doubts about the reserves and under 18s for both Cowra and Dubbo and they've been issued basically with a please explain from us as to what's happening," Lewis said.
"We're sick of seeing guys doubling up and having to play two games every week so that clubs can get sides on the field.
"If the eventual course of things is that we don't have a competition in 18s or reserves, then so be it."
In 2014, the Bathurst Bushrangers and Orange Tigers had little trouble sorting themselves out in the lower grades.
Young too were able to field three senior teams as they tried to find their way in their return to first grade.
Mudgee maintained their presence in reserves, with Dubbo and Cowra regularly fielding outnumbered and understrength teams in both under 18s and the twos.
The good news for the CWAFL is that Young have built on their return season and have nominated along with Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Cowra for firsts.
But that doesn't solve the rest of the problems for the CWAFL's organisers.
"Cowra I must admit have batted above their weight for years, to be as strong as they have in what is a very small town compared to Bathurst and Orange has been a great effort," Lewis said.
"They've said they won't have an 18s team and will struggle to get reserves.
"The situation in Dubbo is a lot worse, there's what, 50,000 people over there so I find it pretty hard to work out how they can't fill at least an extra senior team.
"Reserve grade is the backbone of country football, it's those guys who help run the water and do all the little jobs for first grade. They have a drink and support their team and it would be a massive shame to not have the competition at all.
"We altered the regulations a little last year to be more flexible with players going down to seconds from firsts just to help clubs field a side. Cowra got within a kick of Orange in the preliminary final, so I could imagine Orange wouldn't have been real happy with that."
