Victorian chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton says he has advised the AFL that it would need to make a national proposal to state and federal governments before the season can resume.

Sutton's comments come as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said crowds returning this year would be challenging.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton. Credit:AAP

There is hope a national proposal would help the AFL avoid a "hubs" scenario and allow teams to stay in their home cities. But it is almost certain any games would be played behind closed doors.

"I think that's going to be challenging this year, that doesn't mean it won't happen later in the year," McLachlan told 3AW on Monday, though he downplayed the likelihood of that happening.