Metropolitan teams have been included from 2016 in the once country-based competition.

Official rankings will be determined the following year, with the inaugural community championships to provide a base to work from.

The Bottle Greens will play powerhouse Ovens and Murray in Warrnambool next year in a match touted as a ninth-versus-tenth battle.

The 31st-ranked Warrnambool and District is slated to host Loddon Valley, while neighbours Mininera and District and South West District will meet.

Eastern, Northern, Essendon and District and Western are the four metropolitan leagues in the top four matches. Geelong and Eastern will play-off for the unofficial title of the state’s best.

AFL Western District general manager Lachy Patterson backed the new concept.

“It is a good change. It provides our country leagues the opportunity to play against the best metro leagues,” he said.

“(The rankings) are something that will take a couple of years to sort out properly to see where everyone sits.”

Patterson said the 2016 fixture was positive with three matches scheduled in the south-west.

“It’s really exciting. No teams are travelling,” he said.

“It’s a rare occurrence and we need to make the most of it.” 

Hampden president Hugh Worrall said the Bottle Greens were pleased to play Ovens and Murray for the second time in three years.

“We hoped to get a game against Ovens and Murray here,” he said.

“With the five metro teams coming in as the top leagues we thought it might re-adjusted, but we’re lucky we still get a home game.

“It is a challenge for us and it’s what we are there for. 

“We’ll have new recruits in the league and players who missed out last season through injury will be available.”

Worrall, whose preference is to play at Reid Oval, said a double-header with Warrnambool and District would be discussed.