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The Zebras are unbeaten in their quest for four consecutive premierships, a feat only ever achieved once in VFA/VFL history by Essendon in 1891-92-93-94.

And in this age of AFL alignments North Ballarat coach Gerard FitzGerald has no doubt what the key to Sandringham's success has been and continues to be - a strong VFL list.

The Zebras have enjoyed a great relationship with Melbourne, but their ability to maintain an experienced list is the biggest factor.

Sandringham has seven players with more than 50 VFL games, led by champion full forward Nick Sautner, who celebrates his 200th milestone against North Ballarat at AUSTAR Arena today.

In comparison, the Selkirk Roosters have only five in this category out on the ground today: Shaune Moloney, Tristan Cartledge, Aaron Clark, Jacob Spolding and Leigh Ryall, who plays his first senior game for the year.

If North Ballarat is to cause the upset of the season and stop Sandringham in its tracks, it has three major assignments which must be completed successfully.

1-The Roosters must shutdown the Zebra midfield.

2-Shaune Moloney has to keep Nick Sautner to a maximum of five goals.

3-Melbourne Demons hard man Byron Pickett must be nullified.

They are big tasks, and such is the potency of Sandringham two out of three more than likely will not be enough.

North Ballarat's injury count does not help its cause.

Getting David Trotter and Brett Goodes back is a boost, but having Callum Urch, Tom Roach, Steve Clifton, Daniel McConnell and, Matt Sharkey still on the sidelines is something North Ballarat cannot really afford.

While this is testing the Roosters' depth, they are not about to shirk any issues.

`They hold no fears for us,' FitzGerald said looking to his team's biggest task so far this year.

`We've shown some good signs against quality opposition,' he said with particular reference to the round six win over Port Melbourne.

`We need to play the right brand of football for longer periods."

FitzGerald will also be looking for much better use of the football inside the attacking 50 metres, including more uncontested marks.

He is not happy with the way the Roosters have been content to go to contest instead of finding an open option.

"We've been too reliant on winning the crumbs from the contest,"

However, this will count for little if Sandringham is allowed to dictate the midfield and provide a constant feed for Sautner, who is fresh from a match-winning nine-goal haul for the Big V against Western Australia.

The required will need to emanate in attack where there is no shortage of run.

North Ballarat is on three wins and four losses.

Get a win over Sandringham and the Roosters can do more than just scramble for a place at the bottom end of the top eight.

THIS WEEKEND'S VFL MATCHES

TODAY: North Ballarat v Sandringham, Werribee v Casey Scorpions, Northern Bullants v Geelong, Tasmania v Port Melbourne, Box Hill Hawks v Williamstown.

TOMORROW: Bendigo Bombers v Coburg. Frankston bye.