BFL operations manager Shane Anwyl said the league would remain committed inter-league football no matter what AFL Victoria decided to do with the championships.

Speculation is rising that the community championships might not go ahead next season.

AFL Victoria is expected to next week make an announcement on the future of the competition, which features country and metropolitan leagues.

READ MORE: CHFL pulls out out of AFL Victoria Community Championships

AFL Goldfields regional general manager Gerard Ryan said AFL Victoria had carried out an annual review of the championships - sourcing feedback from leagues.

He said inter-league football had taken various forms over the years, with the existing format combining country and metropolitan leagues having been in place four seasons.

Ryan said while he was unaware of the future of the championships, perhaps there might be a suggestion it was time for another change.

"It might be time to take them in another direction," he said.

READ MORE: BFL launches interleague football review

While Ryan said he had not discussed the issue in detail with any of the leagues in the Goldfields region, his AFL North East Border counterpart John O'Donohue spoke out, with his comments raising doubts about the future of inter-league football statewide.

O'Donohue told the Border Mail in Albury: "My advice to the Ovens and Murray the other day was while it's all still pending have a plan B and source out leagues who may want to play.

"Consultations are still being done, but I would think it's unlikely the championships will continue next year."

Anwyl said he had received no indication on what the future of the championships might be.

He said there was no question the competition had lost some impetus. The first year of the community championships in 2016 attracted 38 leagues, while this year was down to 32.

The Central Highland league has already announced it will not have an inter-league program next season.

Anwyl said if there was no formal statewide competition, the BFL would explore other ways of playing inter-league.

"We fully support the country championships given the proud history we have in them."

He said if there was to be change, perhaps an under-23 competition might be the way to go.

With the BFL waiting on a decision, it has put on hold its search for a replacement for the Richmond premiership player Shaun Grigg as inter-league coach for 2020.

The BFL appointed Grigg to the position late last season as part of a re-energised approach to inter-league football. He withdrew his services after taking up a development role with Geelong in the AFL.

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