Willian will be joined at the helm by Andrew Pitson in 2021, with the pair taking over from Greg Middleton who has departed following a breakthrough finals appearance in 2019.

The former North Ballarat City player says reaching finals is a must for his side and has eyes set ever higher up the ladder.

Willian has a close personal relationship with Middleton and had been set to play under him in 2020 before the season was abandoned due to COVID-19.

"I've nearly gone there (Skipton) for the last three or four years so I've watched them pretty closely and watched what Midda has built up. He has built up a really good list," Willian told The Courier.

"Obviously they finished eighth in 2019 and I think with the players we've brought in, I genuinely believe we can be really competitive and top eight is an absolute minimum.

"We're hopeful of pushing that top four and at the end of the day you want to win a premiership. I think we're building a close enough list to do that, but we've just got to wait and see how the season goes."

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Willian is one of the club's key recruits and joins the likes of Rhys Monument, Daniel Kilpatrick, Jack Romeril and Mitch Gilbert as major additions to the squad that reached the elimination final two years ago.

Pitson has been one of the integral members of the Skipton senior side in recent seasons and been a major part of its rise up the ladder.

He joined the Emus as a marquee signing after a season with Monash Blues in the VAFA, but most notably following his time with Lake Wendouree in the Ballarat league. Pitson represented the BFL while at the Lakers.

Skipton has been fixtured to take on Gordon in the opening round of its 2021 campaign on April 17.

The CHFL has kept the same schedule of matches as what would have been followed through 2020, with the 17-round home and away season to run until August 14. Finals will then start and conclude with grand final day on Saturday, September 11 at Mars Stadium.