O and M league chairman David Sinclair last week called for the AFL NEB to look at changing the structure of junior football and moving the under-16s out of the junior competition and into the O and M.

His comments came in the wake of AFL Goulburn Murray granting the Goulburn Valley league permission to add the age group to next year's competition.

Gray was opposed to the idea with dwindling junior numbers a major stumbling block.

"This is something the O and M has previously considered for quite a number of years to support their match-day experience," Gray said.

ALSO IN SPORT:

"But personally I feel junior football competitions are in a hard state at the moment simply because a lack of juniors are participating.

"There is a lack of numbers in all junior sports of that age group and not just footy and it's becoming a compelling factor.

"We don't want to be in competition with the O and M in junior sport because juniors are an integral part of our league.

"Our league collaborates a lot with the AFL NEB and their figures are showing that junior numbers are dwindling across all ages.

"So we have to tread wearily in regards to junior competitions over the next few years.

"We are very proud of our junior competition in the TDFL, but our numbers are starting to be affected."