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North Ballarat<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021 record: 9-0-1<\/p>\n BFNL premierships: 1963, 1970, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2013, 2014<\/p>\n Keys to success: Riley Polkinghorne, Ryan Hobbs, Tom Hotchin<\/p>\n Finishing top of the ladder and deserving flag favourites, the Roosters are set for their first premiership since 2014.<\/p>\n Riley Polkinghorne is one of this year\u2019s Henderson Medal favourites with the midfielders\u2019 great season was highlighted by being selected in Brendan McCartney\u2019s best players every single week, including being named the very best on three occasions.<\/p>\n Opposition in September can\u2019t underestimate the influence of Ryan Hobbs in defence with the veteran still as important as he was in their last premiership campaigns.<\/p>\n At the other end of the field, Tom Hotchin has been unsung hero in recent rounds. He may have only booted ten goals in nine games but his ability to hit up the wings with comrade Harry Loader has filled the void left from Josh Chatfield who will miss the rest of 2021 with a liver injury.<\/p>\n North play a picture-perfect brand of footy that\u2019s easy on the eye, if they are able to continue to click and hit their targets by foot, good luck to anyone being able to stop them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Melton<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021 record: 8-0-2<\/p>\n BFNL premierships: 2000, 2001, 2005<\/p>\n Keys to success: Kevin Klix, Jack Walker, Lachlan Phillips<\/p>\n After being so close in the past two seasons, can the Bloods go one better in 2021?<\/p>\n Up forward Kevin Klix has been a livewire in his first season with Melton, kicking 15 goals in eight games.<\/p>\n His x-factor ability could see spend time in the middle with Jack Walker who has been one of Aaron Tymms\u2019 favourites all season and named in best on all 10 games.<\/p>\n Lachie Phillips has been a real utility with the inside midfielder attending plenty of centre bounces but also spending time deep in defence. Expect him to pair Bailey Mawson as key post to try and combat some of the other sides in the competition\u2019s tall forward lines.<\/p>\n Melton have all the ingredients for success. Now it is just about getting it done in Ballarat where all finals are to be played.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n East Point<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021 record: 6-0-4<\/p>\n BFNL Premierships: 2018, 2019<\/p>\n Keys to Success: Matt Johnston, Joel Ottavi, Jake McQueen<\/p>\n Still the most dangerous side when at its best, many pundits believe the three-peat is inevitable.<\/p>\n Kangas captain, Matt Johnston has put together another exceptional season with his aerial threat unmatchable on the big stage.<\/p>\n Inside forward 50, Joel Ottavi\u2019s 30 goals in four games speaks for itself, with the return of Jake \u2018The Excitement Machine\u2019 McQueen in recent rounds also adding an extra layer to the side.<\/p>\n Free from injury, McQueen is one of the very best at this level and joins the calibre of Jordy Johnston, Jacob Brown and James Lukich as forward options that Jake Bridges has at his disposal to roll through the midfield if he so chooses to.<\/p>\n This plus a dominate 39-year-old Darren Jolly in ruck, it is easy to see why some say they are still the team to beat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sebastopol<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021 Record: 5-0-5<\/p>\n BFNL premierships: none.<\/p>\n Keys to Success: Matt Austin, Lachlan Cassidy, Grady Snowden<\/p>\n Injury riddled but not done with yet, the Burra can still cause chaos and just maybe finally get there first senior premiership.<\/p>\n 2019\u2019s \u2018Mr September\u2019 Matt Austin is expected to be fit for the campaign with the ex-Brisbane Lion more than capable of winning a game off his own boot on the big stage.<\/p>\n Ball magnet Lachlan Cassidy has had another stellar season being named in Michael Searl\u2019s best players on six occasions. He\u2019s notably known as a goal kicking midfielder with over 80 majors at senior level, but has only managed five this season.<\/p>\n Expect the return of midfielders Chase Dummett, Ryan Noether and Daniel Widergy allow Cassidy to find more space inside forward 50 and therefore more avenues to goal.<\/p>\n With so many power forwards in the competition, look for the Burra to seek out Grady Snowden to lock down on the opposition\u2019s very best in September with the cagey competitor known for rarely giving an inch.<\/p>\n Without their captain Tony Lockyer many think the Burra\u2019s premiership hopes went up in smoke when he went down with injury, but their ability to still score heavily on their day will still give a glimmer of hope for that Septembers success.<\/p>\n Ballarat<\/strong><\/p>\n 2021 Record: 5-0-5<\/p>\n BFNL Premierships: 1897, 1898, 1908, 1923, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1962, 1971, 1988, 2008<\/p>\n Keys to Success: Andrew Hooper, Sam James, Mitch Martin<\/p>\n Returning to finals footy for the first time since they played in the 2014 grand final, the Swans have the footy fraternity behind them as they try to bring some silverware back to Alfredton Oval.<\/p>\n The back half of the season was highlighted with the return of the 2019 Tony Lockett Medallist, Andrew Hooper who kicked 20 goals in five matches.<\/p>\n Captain Sam James has arguably been his sides\u2019 top player, with Joe Carmody naming him in the best on seven occasions and his 14 goals this year showcased the important role he has to play not only in the midfield but resting at full forward.<\/p>\n Across half back Bailey van De Heuvel has been the obvious breakthrough with the key post being rewarded with VFL-selection at Footscray multiple times this year; in his absence expect Mitch Martin and his damaging left foot to be the focal point of their rebound from half back.<\/p>\n A young side with nothing to lose is the story for the Swannies, with respect to continued to be gained.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2021\/08\/IMG_7536-300x200.jpg\")