The Highlanders have lost their last three matches in the statewide series by less than a goal, which has left the league 25^th on the rankings ladder.

This year saw arguably one of the CHFL’s weakest teams since it returned to senior representative football in 2012. Many of the competition’s best players didn’t make themselves available for selection. This was largely due to injury, but also a lack of interest in the concept from some of the stars.

Comelli said the CHFL’s place in the championships would be discussed at board level like normal.

“We talk about it every year and I suppose the fact we’ve lost the last three years, a lot of the talk might not be as positive as it should be about it,” Comelli said.

“We’re not as upbeat about it as what we’d like to be.”

Comelli said he felt the championships needed to be revamped across the state and suggested the competition be for under-23 players.

He also floated the idea of playing more double-headers at major venues to better showcase the quality of football as well as having leagues battle in various conferences across Victoria, rather than being forced to travel long distances for one-off matches.

“If the format was different, I’m sure that you’d get more of the younger ones playing because they’re not as injury prone and they are a bit more enthusiastic,” he said.

“When they are young, they are still trying to prove that they can play at a higher level and perhaps get a chance in the VFL or something like that.”

Comelli didn’t make a call either way on whether league coach Clive Raak would continue in the position after three-straight defeats.

“We’ll call for expressions of interest to coach the side, as we do each year now. We’ll advertise the position, but Clive may well be the best candidate and might get the gig again,” Comelli said.

While not finalised and only based off the current rankings, the CHFL is set to take on Ellinbank and District league in 2019.