The BFNL announced late Thursday that for this season only the top six teams in all grades would qualify for a revamped three-week finals series.

How that three-week finals system plays out is still to be finalised by the league, but the big winners in the senior football competition were sixth-placed Eaglehawk.

The Borough had next to no chance of qualifying for the finals prior to the announcement, but now, no matter what happens in the final two rounds of the home and away season, the Hawks will play in the finals series.

"We're relieved, for sure,'' Eaglehawk coach Travis Matheson said.

"We haven't avoided any of the blame, we should have won more games earlier in the season and put ourselves in a better position.

"It is good that we've been given an opportunity that was taken away from us because of the lockdowns.

"In the past few weeks everyone had been putting on a brave face even though we thought the season was over.

"(When the news came through about the changes) it was like a grand final week on the training track.

"Everyone was up and about and ready to go."

BFNL manager Cameron Tomlins said on Friday that the league was considering "several options" for the finals series and a decision would not be made before Saturday's resumption of play.

One option being looked at is first and second on the ladder have the first week of finals off, third plays sixth and fourth plays fifth in elimination finals and the two winners advance to meet first and second in preliminary finals.

The problem with that option is that first and second are sidelined for another weekend of footy after already missing out on numerous weeks. The lack of continuity could be a major disadvantage.

Another option being considered is that all six teams play on the first weekend of the finals.

First plays sixth, second plays fifth and third plays fourth. The two lowest-ranked losing teams are eliminated from the finals.

The three winners and the highest-ranked losing team advance to the preliminary finals.

The team that loses in week one, but advances to the preliminary finals, would be disadvantaged by being drawn to play the highest-ranked team in the preliminary finals.

Under that scenario, whoever finishes first automatically gets a double-chance no matter what happens on week one of the finals.

The only way the team that finished second is knocked out of the finals is if first and second both lose in week one.

The advantages of this scenario is that all teams get continuity and the top teams have more protection.

The negative is that playing three games on the first weekend means not all matches could be played at the QEO.

Potentially, the reward for whoever finishes on top of the ladder could be the right to host a home final, while the other two games are at the QEO on a Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Whichever way the league goes, the teams who finish first and second have most to gain and lose.

Reigning premier Strathfieldsaye sits on top of the table and is most likely to remain there.

"We'll take it as it comes,'' Storm coach Darryl Wilson said.

"The league has made a decision based on getting the season finished as quickly as they can and that's the scenario we have to live with."

Sandhurst is in second spot on the ladder, but will probably drop to third by 5pm on Saturday night.

The Dragons hold a slender 2.7 per cent advantage over third-placed Golden Square going into Saturday's penultimate round.

Sandhurst won't play on Saturday because of Kyneton's forfeit, while the Bulldogs will score a percentage-boosting win over bottom side Castlemaine.

"The positive thing is the three weeks (finals series), it gives us a chance to get in and get it done,'' Sandhurst coach Ashley Connick said.

"Our immediate focus is preparing ourselves for the next two weeks. Tomorrow fortnight the finals will be on.

"Whether it's fair or not fair, and you could whine about it, but that doesn't help you. There's still a premiership to be won and the bottom line is the best team will still win it."

Square coach Christian Carter was satisfied with the league's decision.

"It was a bit of a shock, but I don't mind the idea. It gives everyone a chance,'' Carter said.

"The two games coming up to prepare are needed after all the time off we've had.

"I think the league has made the best they can of the situation."

Gisborne coach Rob Waters maintained the same approach he has all season.

"It is what it is... our mindset hasn't changed, we're happy to play anywhere, anytime,'' Waters said.

"It's a whole new season, really, and it starts this week."

South Bendigo will play in its first finals series in nine years.

The fifth-placed Bloods have the easiest run home of the top six teams - Kangaroo Flat (a), Maryborough (h) - and they could jump up a spot or two depending on other results.

South Bendigo coach Nathan Horbury was unavailable for comment.

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