In contingency talks held earlier this season, a decision was reached by clubs and the league that a premiership would only be rewarded off the result of a game - not by ladder position or else-wise.

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The directive sees North Ballarat celebrate a rare double, having finished top of the ladder in senior football and A Grade netball.

"Earlier in the year, when were looking at contingency plans, all the clubs made it clear they want to see a premiership determined by the outcome of a grand final," BFNL general manager Shane Anwyl said.

"They didn't want it determined by what the situation was on paper.

"We were lucky that the end of the home-and-away season was our final round (where everyone played each other at least once).

"So, North Ballarat was minor premier heading into finals and that will remain the case. They will be recognised as minor premiers for 2021, but there will be no formal premiership awarded this year."

The BFNL's decision was widely supported by its clubs.

"I think it's the right decision. If we had of been offered the premiership I wouldn't have taken it, put it that way," Sebastopol president Darren Hammill said.