The round of football just gone – as well as the one that awaits next week – is testament to that.

We saw North Ballarat City trumped by rival Redan, Sunbury pull off somewhat of an upset against Lake Wendouree, and Sebastopol edge closer towards its first win in more than two years.

Not to say these results would not have been impossible with a random fixture, but the deliberately weighted draw by the league has a big part to play in generating increased interest from the outset of the season.

It is good for spectators and it is great for the clubs themselves.

North Ballarat City, for example, could not have much of a harder start to the season than against Redan.

No matter the sport, everyone loves seeing an underdog claim a victory.

The weighted fixture obviously does not guarantee surprise results, but pitting sides against others of similar ability early on in the season creates a sense of uncertainty that is the lifeblood of any sport.

Not only does it provide a sense of unpredictability and generate interest, it also serves to make the competition more even over the course of the season.

Consider Redan, for example.

Despite bombing out of the preliminary finals last year, there is no denying the Lions are one of the powerhouse sides in the league.

And one glance at their first six weeks of the season means their year could almost be made or lost from the outset.

The Lions meet East Point (seventh in 2014), North City (premier), Darley (fourth), Ballarat (runner-up), Lake Wendouree (fifth) and Sunbury (sixth) to start the season.

Based on early-season form, they look like the six other best sides of season 2015.

Other top clubs, especially North City and Ballarat, almost have equally difficult starts for the year.

While the mystery remains towards the front half of the season, it is fitting that the traditionally strong sides go to battle.

On the other hand, the struggling Sebastopol has had winnable fixtures against Bacchus Marsh and Melton to start the season, both of which finished towards the bottom end of the ladder last year.

The Kookaburras failed to break through for the drought-breaking win, but the positive signs they showed will give the club and its supporters an air of confidence in the infancy of the season.

The BFL is also reporting increased gate takings from the first two rounds of the season – an indication that interest is high early on.

This week, we have a top-of-the-table clash between Darley and Redan to whet the appetite, as well as a rematch of the 2014 grand final.

If only we did not have to wait another week for more action.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au