IT'S GOT to be one of the toughest gigs in Victorian country football - making the finals of the Bendigo Bank Central Highlands Football League.
The competition is fierce and 14 teams into five finals spots is a difficult mathematical equation.
One of the perennial hard-luck stories has been the Waubra Kangaroos.
It hasn't won a flag since 1982 - the Kangaroos have a top facility but it's pretty windswept out there on the western plains.
There's been enough good air blowing, though, in recent years with non-playing coach Shane Skontra lifting his team to real finals contention.
Last year was a good year for the Roos playing in the preliminary final but after a faultless season, the unbeaten Kangaroos are already booking Saturday, September 16, as grand final day for them at the Northern Oval.
Not that Skontra will admit that given he is a conservative man.
He pulled the boots on last Saturday, but like last season, it may only have been a gesture of numbers and helping rest key players with the business end of the season now on in earnest.
Waubra has key players to come back, maybe Brad Molloy (spleen), Ben Naylon (back) while Paul Kinna is being managed with chronic hamstrings.
But if you think Waubra will be a bunch of crocs by season's end, think again.
They have the most potent forward line in the league with league leading goal kicker Leigh Brown, Matt Clark, John Coleman and Kinna, and you can throw in Naylon soon.
Then in the onball department, bring back Jimmy Rushton from his knee injury and the Roos have plenty of spark, particularly via the Mullane boys, Simon and Tim, Gavin Miller, Ryan Allan and Danny Liston.
But what about other grand final contenders?
There is no shortage of them.
Hepburn has suffered its second defeat at home this season, one more defeat for the season already than the past two seasons.
The dual reigning premiers will be tough to beat again when Clive Raak and Greg Seiz start turning it on up forward via recruits Andy McKay and spare athletic ruckman James Newton.
Daniel Chapman is another big man that will trouble opposition sides along with James' brother, Sam at centre half back and a host of running types including best and fairest last season Ross Mann, evergreen Jamie Grant,
Richie Atkin and Aaron and Daniel James.
But despite the well known stars at Hepburn there are signs that the Burra are not necessarily the dominant force much longer.
Daylesford dumped them last week in the Kookaburra nest and Bungaree pushed them to within a point.
Dunnstown is no stranger to beating Hepburn and don't forget the ability of Learmonth and Ballan. Newlyn is the other side in contention for a finals spot but the top seven is where the five will come from.
Waubra will finish on top mainly because of its beautifully organised defence led by former Learmonth and St Arnaud coach Steve Biggin who is assistant coach at the Roos.
Daylesford will finish second because it can only get better as the season progresses.
It has a hard-at it midfield - something Hepburn needs to address - and enough forwards to do the job.
It is down defence where the Bulldogs need to be a little more organised. Coach Luke Adams starts down back a lot but they need one more key down there to stand up.
Tom Reeves has been a revelation since crossing over from rugby union, but Daylesford needs a little more running bite down back.
Third place on the ladder goes to Bungaree which has the squad and the bodies to do the job this season.
The Demons could easily make the grand final this season.
Coach Carl Symons has plenty to work with this season and lot of pace and strong marking types within the ranks.
After that it is either Learmonth, Dunnstown or Ballan to finish fifth for mine.
Learmonth has the players but needs a good run with injuries.
Dunnstown is looking better with the experienced Damian Woods returning to the club, Joe McKay is on fire and Stuart Brown who played at East Point two seasons ago is filling a big role in defence.
My tip is Dunnstown to prevail for fifth and Learmonth to be unlucky this season.
Seventh will be Ballan, eight Newlyn and the rest will have to think seriously about next season.
Springbank will be ninth, Clunes 10th, Buninyong 11th in a season that in hindsight will be forgotten quickly when it moves into its new complex and recruits well for 2007.
No 12 spot belongs to Beaufort while Creswick will be 13th and the Gordon Eagles to take the wooden spoon.