The stage is set for the Bendigo Football Netball League finals.
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Which players are the most important to your club's premiership chances?
Here's ADAM BOURKE'S thoughts on the players that can make a difference in September.
STRATHFIELDSAYE
THE OBVIOUS
No prizes for guessing star forward Lachlan Sharp. 129 goals in 17 games says it all, really.
His 2019 average of 7.6 goals per game is higher than his Michelsen Medal-winning 2017 season when he kicked 142 goals in 22 games.
After missing last year's finals series because of injury, Sharp will be keen to make a big impact on the big stage again.
The last final he played he kicked five goals in the final quarter of the 2017 grand final to lead the Storm to a stunning victory.
NOT SO OBVIOUS
In a star-studded team, Jake Moorhead somehow flies under the radar.
After suffering a knee injury in the opening round of the season, Moorhead has returned in sparkling form.
In the past six matches the inside midfielder has been the Storm's best player four times, second-best once and third-best once.
Who do the opposition tag - Moorhead, Kal Geary, Sam Heavyside or Josh Formosa?
X-FACTOR
Bailey Henderson has the ability to tear a finals series apart.
His size, athleticism and running and marking ability make him a tough match-up.
Storm coach Troy Coates has used Henderson in defence, through the midfield and inside forward 50 this year.
It's not hard to picture him having a big day on a wing on a dry day in September.
EAGLEHAWK
THE OBVIOUS
If you polled the other BFNL coaches on the player they'd most like to have out of the Eaglehawk side it would be Brodie Filo.
His seven-goal haul last Saturday, albeit against inferior opposition, shows what the Michelsen Medal winner can do forward of centre.
It might only take a 15-minute burst for Filo to turn a final the Borough's way.
NOT SO OBVIOUS
Cam McGlashan might be the most improved player on the Borough's list.
At times this year he's carried the number one ruck role and done a power of work across half-forward.
If he was to go down injured it would leave a big hole in the Borough line-up.
X-FACTOR
Despite spending more time up the ground this year, Riley Saunders still kicked 40 goals.
On the back of a career-best home and away season, he looks capable of taking his game to another level.
The next step for Saunders is to have a breakout game in a big final. His beat haul in last year's finals series was two goals.
GISBORNE
THE OBVIOUS
The Bulldogs have quality on every line, but there's none better than key forward Pat McKenna.
Kicks goals, sets up team-mates with his team first mentality and has a work rate second-to-none.
If he has a big September the Bulldogs can make the grand final.
NOT SO OBVIOUS
For those outside of Gisborne the name James Ferry mightn't mean much.
Some people inside the Bulldog bubble will tell you he's every bit as important to Gisborne's chances as Patty McKenna.
After watching the key defender's best on ground performance at the QEO against Sandhurst a fortnight ago it's hard to disagree.
Reads the play superbly, intercept marks and, just as importantly, is the general of the defence in the way he instructs his team-mates.
X-FACTOR
For a large patch of the second half of the seson Jaidyn Owen was forced to play in the ruck in the absence of injured Josh Grabham.
The young key forward played his best footy for the season and his confidence sky rocketed as a result.
With Grabham back in the side, Owen has started inside forward 50 and pinch-hit in the ruck and he's continued to play good footy.
He'll have a big say in how far the Bulldogs advance.
GOLDEN SQUARE
THE OBVIOUS
Jack Geary or Adam Baird - you're splitting hairs.
Baird's injury concerns late in the season hurt the Dogs and Geary was forced to carry extra responsibility.
You know what you're going to get out of Geary on a weekly basis. If Baird can produce a big September then the Dogs mightn't be making up the numbers.
NOT SO OBVIOUS
Outside of Wade Street, ruckman Matt Compston never gets the credit he deserves.
Does he ever play a bad game? His durability has been outstanding. The Dogs can't afford to lose him.
X-FACTOR
He's been around for a long time, but you still get the feeling we haven't seen the best of Hamish Morcom.
Injuries haven't helped his cause, but there's still something there to suggest that at some point he could win the Dogs a big final.
SANDHURST
THE OBVIOUS
A fully fit Andrew Collins playing the majority of the game through the midfield.
The Dragons' commitment to the cause and hardness at the footy can't be questioned.
However, they lack a touch of class with ball in hand and that's where Collins comes in.
NOT SO OBVIOUS
Jake Wilkinson might surprise some, but he's super important to the Dragons' structure.
In a finals series where the Dragons' will need to potentially quell key forwards of the calibre of Jayden Burke, Pat McKenna and Hugh Robertson, key defender Wilkinson has a major role to play.
He's rarely been beaten this year and if he continues that form then the Dragons could continue to use Lachy Ross in attack in a bid to bolster their scoring options.
X-FACTOR
Bendigo Pioneers-listed midfielder Jeremy Rodi is held in high regard by Sandhurst coach Ash Connick.
Rodi is expected to come into the Sandhurst side to add some class around the stoppages.
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