FEW others have had a bigger impact in North Ballarat’s greatest era in the VFL than Orren Stephenson.His playing record is the envy of most in the competition.Foremost, Stephenson has played in three premierships – being instrumental thoughout each campaign and in each of the victorious grand finals.He has also worn the Big V with distinction as the VFL’s number one ruckman.For those in the inner sanctum at North Ballarat, the 28-year-old has been, is and will always be more than the football public has seen.Stephenson plays his 100th senior VFL game against Casey Scorpions at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat today.Back after being unavailable for the opening round, Stephenson’s presence has never been so important for the Roosters.No one is happier to have him back than coach Gerard FitzGerald.FitzGerald says Stephenson offers the type of stability that few big men in the competition can.“He’s a terrific leader. He’s a strong character and really good example of a player who has worked hard at his football,” he said.FitzGerald said Stephenson had improved each year and was still improving.A premiership ruckman with Redan in the Ballarat Football League, Stephenson joined the Roosters in 2005 when Gavin Crosisca was coach.He managed just five senior games in that year and has gone on from strength to strength.Stephenson knows as well as anyone the importance of today’s match and this is with no reference to his milestone. The Roosters were inexperienced in the first-round loss to Bendigo Bombers. Although they get back Stephenson and Mark Sharkey, they will be even younger with two more first-gamers in James Keeble and Zacc Struth.Casey has had plenty of media exposure this year with its signing of Brendan Fevola, but the former Carlton and Brisbane Lions spearhead will not be with the Scorpions in Ballarat. Instead, he is playing with Narre Warren in the Mornington Peninsula league. This will not make it any easier for the Roosters, with Casey featuring Melbourne-listed Joel Macdonald, Nathan Jones, Stefan Martin and Matthew Warnock.Casey will also have a strong Ballarat flavour, with Lucas Cook and Tom McDonald having been drafted from the North Ballarat Rebels last year and Daniel Nicholson, who, although picked up in the rookie draft from Uni Blues, spent time with St Patrick’s College and playing with East Point.