Shane Skontra had departed after three years as head coach; his replacement came with a resume that included four-straight Bellarine Football League premierships and two AFL premierships as an assistant coach.

The club meant business.

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Brendan McCartney's appointment didn't bring big-name recruits nor guaranteed success, but it fostered a sense of belief that drove the Roosters to a first minor premiership in seven years.

The season started well enough.

North Ballarat's young forward group pushed their side to a three-goal win against Redan opening day.

However, there were signs of vulnerability that intensified when the Roosters welcomed Ballarat to Mars Stadium.

Again, the job fell to the young forwards, this time Josh Chatfield and Jye Lockett.

The hosts strolled to a 22-point lead at three-quarter time only to nearly throw it all away.

North Ballarat could only manage a three-point final term with Ballarat's 7.18 output for the game handing the Roosters a two-point win on a platter.

One win, one escape and the jury was still out on the Roosters.

Youth again led Brendan McCartney's side into a round three contest against Lake Wendouree.

A quarter-time lead quickly evaporated into a 21-point three-quarter deficit.

The Roosters fought back, but the damage was done; the Lakers ran out seven-point winners.

One win, one escape, one loss and North Ballarat entered round four at a crossroads.

When Sebastopol arrived, it brought the chance to douse its opponents' early-season momentum.

Instead, the Burras were left mere spectators as Riley Polkinghorne, and his fellow midfielders wrestled control of the game.

Polkinghorne was one of the Roosters' standouts in his first full senior season.

The onballer never shied away from a contest, and his consistent excellence saw him crowned The Courier's player of the year.

North Ballarat took the energy of a five-goal win into a road trip to Sunbury.

Sitting second, off the pace by just one win, the Roosters entered strong favourites against the ninth-placed Lions.

Four quarters and 11 goals later and the expected eventuated - North Ballarat were triumphant 47-point winners.

Not only was it the first time the Roosters had won at Clarke Oval, but it sent Brendan McCartney's side to the top of the table.

Staying there was no sure thing, though.

The reigning premiers, East Point, awaited North Ballarat in round six.

A Roos win could have seen four sides move level at the top of the table.

Almost ignorant to the occasion, North Ballarat romped home with a six-goal final term to extend its lead at the top and shout its point.

The BFNL had a new benchmark side.

A top-of-table showdown with Bacchus Marsh awaited the Roosters out of the first of the season's COVID breaks.

North Ballarat's favouritism only grew with the fact that its opponents had spent a week longer away from football.

A 32-4 to opening quarter suggested as much, and with a 71-point win, the Roosters moved a game clear at the top.

A chance to go eight points clear presented itself next weekend.

Melton made the trip to Mars Stadium having spent an extra week off due to the bye, like the Cobras, but the prospect of a clash between the season's top two sides still gripped the competition.

The game followed much the same script.

North Ballarat dominated early, Melton worked itself into a rhythm, but it was too little too late.

In hindsight, that was the game that clinched the minor premiership.

A 20-point victory put the Roosters two wins clear with only three rounds left once COVID had its way.

Wins against second-to-last Melton South and Darley were separated by a bye and the second lockdown break.

Like that, the premiership push was delayed for a year - the Roosters' young guns now hungrier and more confident than ever.

1^st, 9 wins, 1 loss, 36 pts, 156.51 per cent

Rd 1: beat Redan, 13.15 (93) to 11.9 (75)

Rd 2: beat Ballarat, 9.8 (62) to 7.18 (60)

Rd 3: def by Lake Wendouree, 13.14 (92) to 14.15 (99)

Rd 4: beat Sebastopol, 12.14 (86) to 7.12 (54)

Rd 5: beat Sunbury 11.15 (81) to 4.10 (34)

Rd 6: beat East Point, 16.9 (105) to 11.14 (80)

Rd 7: beat Bacchus Marsh, 19.16 (130) to 8.11 (59)

Rd 8: beat Melton, 11.5 (71) to 7.9 (51)

Rd 9: beat Melton South, 20.12 (132) to 7.9 (51)

Rd 10: BYE

Rd 11: beat Darley 14.14 (98) to 6.9 (44)