Still, anything can happen in football and there are four other teams who could match it with them on their day.

As we approach the finals, the battle for fifth spot is heating up, with only eight points separating third and sixth spot on the ladder.

While we all sit back and wait to see how the rest of the season is going to look, the Stawell Times-News has done you a favour by compiling report cards for every team's season so far.

9 wins, 1 loss, 40 points, 243.56 per cent

Apart from a minor blemish in round three, a one-point loss to the Giants, the reigning premiers have just about had the perfect season and look a good chance of going back-to-back.

The Burras' solid defence in combination with their wealth of attacking options has left them almost untouchable. Out of their nine wins, the closest any team has come to defeating them was the Giants in round 12, who lost by 45 points.

The side has benefitted from the great form of Nicholas Kelson and Kieran Delahunty, while Brayden Ison (34 goals), Jae McGrath (23 goals) and Tim McIntyre (22 goals) all sit in the top five WFNL goalkicking charts.

The only slight adjustment the Burras could make would be to come out of the blocks a little faster, with some second-half blowouts boosting their winning margins.

9 wins, 2 losses, 36 points, 161.12 per cent

The Warriors bolted out of the gate this year and were unbeaten for the first five rounds before the Burras brought them crashing back to Earth in round six.

A loss to the Saints in round eight didn't help their cause, but a current winning streak of three games has the side sitting nicely in second towards the end of the season. Cody Driscoll has been in fine form in front of goal leading the competition with 37 goals, while Tom Eckel continues to work tirelessly in the midfield.

With finals guaranteed, the Warriors have a tough end to the season against Minyip-Murtoa, Horsham Demons and Horsham Saints, all likely to be played without Driscoll who has suffered a serious finger injury.

While their best is great, questions remain as to whether the Warriors can match it with Minyip-Murtoa.

READ MORE:

6 wins, 3 losses, 32 points, 179.03 per cent

As the only team to beat the Burras, the Giants receive a huge tick straight away. Unfortunately, after that round three win, they lost star goalkicker, Brock Orval, to a season-ending knee injury which has certainly dented their goalkicking stocks. Still, they have only lost three matches, all to finals-challenging teams and amazingly led the Burras by two points at three-quarter time in their round 12 clash. The Giants have class on each line - midfield recruit Cassidy Parish has been a star, while Sam and Lou White have been extremely consistent. If the Giants can manage to make it to the 'big dance' anything is possible.

5 wins, 4 losses, 28 points, 121.99 per cent

With the 'feel-good' story of the year, Dimboola won their first three games and sat equal first on the WFNL ladder. They've dropped away a bit since then, but would still be happy after finishing seventh in 2019. Jack Landt has led the way up forward with 19 goals for the year, while Matt Rosier, alongside Jayden Lehmann in the ruck, have been doing the damage in the midfield. After emerging from a form slump, tough matches against the Burras and Giants await the Roos. Their finals chances may come down to their last round clash with Horsham Demons, who are breathing down their neck in sixth.

6 wins, 3 losses, 32 points, 110.71 per cent

Sitting in fifth, David Johns' charges are the form team of the competition behind the Burras. After going down to Ararat in round six, the Saints have suddenly found their feet and have amassed consecutive wins over the Giants, Warriors, Roos and the Demons. Young gun Mitch Martin has starred up forward for the side kicking 17 goals this year, while 2016 Toohey Medalist Samuel Clyne has been immense. A team finding form at the back end of the season is a dangerous proposition and assuming they hold onto their finals spot there'd be a few teams dreading coming up against the Saints come crunch time.

OTHER NEWS:

5 wins, 5 losses, 24 points, 118.15 per cent

Wins against Dimboola, Ararat and Nhill in recent weeks have given the slow-starting Demons a sniff at making finals. Sitting on equal points with the Roos after playing an extra game, the Demons have a relatively hard draw to finish the season. With games against the Giants, Burras, Stawell and the Roos, they will need to spring multiple upsets if they are any chance of pinching fifth spot.

3 wins, 7 losses, 16 points, 68.70 per cent

Just the three wins for the season so far for the Rats after making preliminary finals in 2018 and 2019. The Rats have lost a lot of experience from those sides and have been competitive in most of their games, with three losses by 15 points or less. With finals just out of the equation, the Rats should focus on building towards 2022. As the fixture sits they will play very winnable games against Warrack and Nhill and should aim to take a few scalps as well.

1 win, 9 losses, 8 points, 31.92 per cent

2021 has been a rebuilding year for the Eagles who would be disappointed with just the one win and six 100-point or more losses. The Eagles need to ensure they beat Nhill in round 17 to give them a boost going into 2022. But it has not been all doom and gloom though, as youngsters Charlie Penny and Dane Stewart took full advantage of 2021's extra opportunities.

0 wins, 10 losses, 4 points, 38.26 per cent

A tough year for the Tigers so far with no wins, however, one positive is that they have only suffered the one 100-point or more loss. Liam Albrecht has stood out being one of, if not their best player. A win against the Eagles could somewhat salvage a disappointing season.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: