That’s the opinion of the HDFNL club coaches who won’t compete in this year’s finals series.

Strange, widely regarded as the premier ruckman in the competition the past two seasons, is recovering from a medial ligament strain in his knee and is no certainty to play in the second semi-final on August 26.

The Bulldogs are favourite to win the flag, with Leitchville-Gunbower seen as close to a certainty to play against North in the grand final.

Third-placed Colbinabbin, fourth-placed Huntly and fifth-placed White Hills aren’t expected to trouble the top two.

“Strange is North Bendigo’s most important player,’’ Heathcote coach Luke Bell said.

“If he doesn’t get back then Leitchville-Gunbower’s ruckmen Pollock and Pilcher will probably dominate and give their midfielders first use of the ball.”

LBU coach Peter Gibbs agreed.

“If Strange doesn’t get up, North is in trouble,” he said.

Elmore coach Danny Brewster said centre clearances and stoppages would be vital in the finals series.

“The team that has the full list will be the team to beat,’’ Brewster said.

“Pilcher and Pollock are two of the standout big men in the league. If Strange doesn’t get back, or he’s not at his best, then Leitchville has some big bodied midfielders who will get an advantage and they’ll be hard to beat.”

While minor premier North Bendigo is still seen as the team to beat, Leitchville-Gunbower’s admirers are increasing.

Gibbs saw Leitchville-Gunbower up close last Saturday and he couldn’t have been more impressed.

“The way Leitchy moved the ball was very impressive,’’ Gibbs said.

“The more space they have to move the ball, the better they look. They’re so quick.”

Mount Pleasant coach Matt Johnson was confident the Bulldogs would make it a hat-trick of flags.

“If North Bendigo gets their injured players back then I think it’s still a case of North comfortably,’’ Johnson said.

“They still have a month until grand final day to get some of those players right, so I think they’ll be fine.”

Bell said the Bulldogs’ premiership experience would count for plenty in September.

“North Bendigo have been there and done it and they probably have more grunt through the middle,’’ Bell said.

“Finals footy is a lot more intense and the game can get scrappy. North has the cattle to win.”

Bell, Brewster and Johnson said fourth-placed Huntly was the team best placed to challenge North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower.

“Huntly is coming together at the right time,’’ Brewster said.

“Any team that has Semmel and Whittle in it is going to be hard to stop. Both of those players seem to be playing their best footy at the right time.”

Gibbs said it would be foolish to write off Colbinabbin.

“Huntly has the most talent of the other three teams, but Colbo plays better as a team,’’ Gibbs said.

“I like the way Colbo goes about it.”