No one thought it would be easy, but the Grasshoppers would never have imagined how tough it would be.

We're talking about Rokewood-Corindhap finally being part of a Central Highlands Football League senior finals series.

It has taken a decade to get there and now the Hoppers are ready for the time of their life.

This is one experience everyone and anyone with even the slightest amount of green and white blood running through their veins is going to soak up.

Like so many country Australian Rules clubs, the Grasshoppers have a long and proud history - with Rokewood and Corindhap having been formed late in the 19th century and being hubs of competitions such as the Rokewood Football Association (1920-24), and Rokewood and Cape Clear District FA (1925-31).

Rokewood-Corindhap became an entity in 1931 and it would be in the Western Plains Football League that it would build a strong on-field heritage with nine premierships in 64 seasons from 1935.

The Grasshoppers went back-to-back in 1978 and 1979, and then in a golden era won three one end in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

The WPFL would last only another four years and in 1999 Rokewood-Corindhap became part of the newly formed Lexton Plains league - a combination of the WPFL and Lexton FL.

While the Grasshoppers won only one premiership in the 12 years of the competition, what a successful era it was, missing finals in only the inaugural season.

Their record from there looked like this: 2000, third; 2001, fifth; 2002, first (minor premier and premier); 2003, fourth; 2004, fourth; 2005, fifth; 2006, fourth; 2007, second; 2008, first (minor premier); 2009, third; and 2010, second.

They had enjoyed 28 finals appearances, winning 13 of them.

All good things come to an end though and the end of the LPFL signalled just that.

It was time for another move in 2011.

This time Rokewood-Corindhap joined Skipton, Carngham-Linton and Illabarook in moving to the Central Highlands league.

It was always going to be tougher for all four.

Skipton and Carngham-Linton - the dominant teams of the LPFL with five flags each - made the best adjustment, winning seven games apiece in its first season in the CHFL.

Rokewood-Corindhap managed three and Illabarook one.

It did not get any better though for the Hoppers with three wins and 17th place in the 18-team competition in 2012; one in 2013; two in 2014; three in 2015 as the four former LPFL clubs filled the bottom four spots; four in 2016; four in 2017; and three in 2018.

Finally, there was a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel in 2019.

Six wins meant their best finish so far in 11th and importantly just two games outside the top eight.

Could Rokewood-Corindhap sustain the improvement and next finally get a taste of finals?

With the COVID-19 pandemic wiping out 2020, the Grasshoppers' faithful would have to wait.

The wait has been worth every moment of it.

Rokewood-Corindhap has not only continued its push up the ladder this year, but on the back of a vigorous recruiting campaign by joint coaches Shaune Moloney and Brad Macgowan has lifted the combine to third position and a guaranteed minimum of two finals appearances.

In doing so they became only the second of the "LPFL Four" to play finals in the CHFL.

Skipton broke down the barrier in 2019 and has again finished in the top eight this season.

Wins early in any season are crucial when aiming to play finals at any time.

Never more the case than this year, with the second half of the campaign decimated by COVID-19 lockdowns.

While teams looking for wins to ignite a last charge at the top eight have been left in the cold with five of 16 scheduled home and away rounds cancelled, Rokewood-Corindhap has reaped the benefit of a flying start.

The Hoppers won their first four games to give it the frontrunning for not just a spot in the top eight, but a double chance by finishing in the top four.

Although there was a hiccup against Skipton after the highest of highs - an historic first win ever for them over reigning premier Waubra - the Grasshoppers kept the momentum going against Bungaree and then after a COVID-19 interruption also accounted for Buninyong.

The foundation was well and truly set - providing enough coverage for stumbles against Gordon and Dunnstown before making the most of a favourable draw to round out the stop-start home and away season with three convincing victories.

What has been obvious as the season has progressed - even without crowds in the latter weeks - has been the way the whole Rokewood-Corindhap community has been drawn in and occasions reached fever pitch as the Hoppers beaten teams for the first time .

The faithful have always been true. They have been there in the tough times.

No one though has wanted to miss out on being part of this latest chapter.

Even old foes from neighbouring districts who have seen their teams go by the wayside have ventured out to watch the progress, and even cheer for the green and white.

Rokewood-Corindhap will run out onto the ground at Buninyong on Sunday to face Hepburn in a qualifying final. - a match-up which owing to COVID-19 restrictions will be happening for the first time for the year.

There'll be a real buzz in the inner sanctum, but there will also be some emptiness - as there will be for all clubs - with supporters not permitted to attend and experience what they have been waiting for so long.

One thing is for sure, they'll be there in spirit as the Grasshoppers venture into new territory.