With Canterbury United confirming it would field a team in this year's league just two weeks before the deadline, Otago United was approached by a collection of concerned players and snapped them up.
It is a move which threatens to be a huge disincentive for Otago-based players, but Fleming said the franchise has little alternative with so many experienced players unavailable.
"Our fortunes weren't that good last year and we've lost five or six players this year," Fleming said, adding the team had to do something to turn its performances around.
"So we had to go outside the square a bit. They were available and wanted to play . . . and we wanted to put together a competitive squad."
With the likes of Aaron Burgess, Liam Little, Tom Jackson and Blair Scoullar all unavailable, the playing stocks have thinned significantly.
Fleming was left with two choices: drafting some players from outside the region or going with development players and struggling to compete in the league.
"All of these guys approached us and, to be honest, there are two or three more. Our talent pool hasn't been that strong in the past. We've got 11 or 12 decent national league players down here this year that can do a job. But instead of bringing all the young kids through like we've had to do in the past . . . I went to the board and said this is the plan.
"They were prepared to do that and I think it gives us a good, balanced squad."
Midfielder-come-striker Stu Kelly returns for Otago United. He played for Otago last season but was flirting with the idea of turning out for Canterbury this season.
Promising striker Dan Ede was the leading goal-scorer in the Christchurch winter league and will be a great addition with Burgess busy with work commitments.
Utility James Reichwein could also play up front but might find a home in the midfield with the likes of the highly-rated Ryan Faichnie.
The defence has also been boosted with Scottish goalkeeper Brian Brown and centre back Tom Sadd signing with Otago.
Fleming said he was pleased with the squad he has been able to assemble. But with less than two weeks before the opening game against Auckland at Carisbrook, the team has its work cut out to get up to speed.
The six Canterbury-based players will train in Christchurch and link up with the rest of the squad two days before games.
"We'll train three times a week here then come Friday the guys from Christchurch will come down and train with us."
While it seems far from ideal, Fleming was confident the squad would gel into a cohesive unit.
"I don't think it is a problem at all. If the guys from Christchurch come here and aren't putting the effort in, or [do not] seem to be as good as what we've got here, they'll miss out.
"It will be harder for the Christchurch guys to get in because I'll see the Dunedin guys more often. But that is why I'll be relying on our Christchurch coach to give me information."
Fleming declined to say who would be coaching the players in Christchurch.
Otago United will accommodate the Christchurch-based players when they are in Dunedin but they will fund their own travel.
