Some will suggest that the winner of this contest will assume the third seed favouritism for the flag behind premiership fancies, Melton and Sebastopol, by the time Round 5 concludes.

While the result will not define either side’s season, the outcome should tell us more about Sunbury and their level of improvement.

If you go back to grasp a better sample size of recent form from the Lions, while missing last year’s finals, Sunbury are 6-2 from their last eight games, while Darley sit at 7-1.

If you wanted to dig a little deeper into the form, matches against top six (from last year) opposition sees the Devils with a 5-3 record ahead of the Lions 2-6. Hence the call of onus on Travis Hodgson's near full strength line up at home getting it done.

Not only is Sunbury's list healthy, off-season recruits, Cody Brand, Rivva Karpany and Josiah Garisto have been significant, not mentioning the full-time additions of Mitch Lewis (ex-Port Melbourne VFL) and Josh Guthrie (North Melbourne VFL) - the Lions are primed for success in 2023.

How these two sides settle into their work early will be interesting given the Devils are coming off the bye and Sunbury with dominant wins over the Lakers and Melton South.

Whether the Devils can secure VFL listed duo Mace Cousins and Bailey Young will be important to their chances. The want to bat as deep into the list will likely play its own role in the result.

The best players from both sides have started well in 2023, so there'll be no excuses. Sunbury will start favorites, on home ground advantage alone, and will be keen to play as such. It's fair to say the Lions let their last two matches against the Devils slip through their fingers.

A three peat is unlikely so another mature effort (and some) from Dan Jordan's Devils will be required if they're to leave Clarke Oval with the Premiership points. 

Scoop’s tip: Darley

If you're in the 'firm believer' camp regarding Sebastopol's flag prospects this season, expect them to take care of Ballarat on Alfredton Oval and go 3-1 come 5pm on Saturday.

The Burra look more seasoned than the young Swans, with bigger bodies and greater depth. Those features alone will have an impact the further this game goes. In fairness to the Swans, they're under no illusions where they're at and would be the first to accept the underdog tag heading in.

Win/loss aside Swans’ coach Chris Maple will be looking for his young group to hang in longer and take more of their opportunities as they present. Failure to do so will be validated on the scoreboard.

Not to be outdone or ahead of themselves, the Burra concede they too remain a work-in-progress so expect coaching duo Luke Kiel and Michael Columbro to flirt with the magnets as they strive to find the right combination to challenge for the title moving forward.

The Swans will ask questions of a few Burra players and their capabilities. The job on Swans’ sharpshooter Andrew Hooper is always a difficult task while negating Marcus Powling in the ruck carries its own levels of interest.

Swans midfielder Will Liston has been the beneficiary of Powling's work to be among the top possession winners on the ground. Kiel and Columbro touched on their desire to be a running team with efficient distribution. A run-with-role on Liston will soon determine the running capabilities of a few.

It was pleasing to see Toby Hutt kick a bag of 10 goals last week, he's likely to prove a handful again on projected weight of entries alone. Angus Bade looks the likely match up.

Swans coach Chris Maple summed it up perfectly last week identifying the gulf between their best and worst footy. For how long they bring their best looms their greatest challenge again for anything shy of it could see the young Swans on the wrong end of a blow-out.   

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol

Despite a 3-1 season record (wins over 8th, 9th, 10th) for Redan and an impressive eight wins from their last nine games, reigning Premiers Melton loom a different assignment altogether.

I thought one lifelong Lions’ fan in particular was getting a little ahead of themselves last week touting this match to be top billing, essentially 1v2. Brave call, but for all of Redan's recent form, it pales in comparison to the mighty Bloods.

Redan finished within 10 points on City Oval at their last meet with Melton but the competitions' benchmark was coming off a rare 21-day break and seemingly off their mantle, struggling with the restart.

Don’t expect the Bloods to give the plucky Lions much of a sniff especially if the weather holds up. While one might expect the Bloods to continue on their winning ways, the Lions will be hopeful as many of three of their missing six players from last week can return, giving their slim chances of an upset win a welcoming boost - none more so than Footscray VFL affiliate Cooper Craig-Peters.

Melton are not at their best just yet, having trailed at half-time for a second time in three weeks but glimpses of what that resembles has been scary good, against quality opposition - Sunbury, Sebastopol and North Ballarat.

Expect the Bloods to have too many winners across the ground and prove too strong for the Lions.   

Scoop’s tip: Melton

For all of North Ballarat's promise (2-2) they've still only won three of their last 10 games giving East Point (2-1) every reason to think they can win at home in an all-important game for both teams.

While the belief that North Ballarat are well and truly in the finals mix this year on sample size thus far, coach Brendan McCartney will be hoping for more evidence of progress against the Kangas. Let's not forget North Ballarat led Melton at half-time last week and turned a few heads midafternoon while East Point piled on nine goals against Ballarat in a match winning second quarter blitz.

North Ballarat will have to get it done without Stewart Crameri (groin) who failed to return after leaving the ground in the third term last week. But the reinforcements, the next gen of North Ballarat soldiers, are well drilled, can run, and not shy on confidence. Surely, it's McCartney's undeniable belief in his boys that exudes the confidence.

There is no reason why North Ballarat can't build on that honest hitout against the Bloods and look the winners for the most part in this game, but if opportunities are not taken, the Kangas will surely swoop.

The Johnston brothers and Alex Molan have led the Kangas midfield while usual suspects Bryce McDougall and Brad Whittaker have looked dangerous forward of centre along with a swarm of young talent waiting to impact at ground level.

Jackson Merrett and Jo Dodd couldn't be far from a return to give the Kangas a major boost but I’m happy to go with my gut at the moment predicting a win for the visitors.     

Scoop’s tip: North Ballarat

While winless, on the road, and coming off an 18-game losing streak, Expect Lake Wendouree to bring the heat, and even go in favourites, against fellow cellar dwellers Melton South.

On exposed form, bragging rights and a long-awaited celebration are at stake as these two struggling clubs go head-to-head.

Finding a winner despite the winless nature of the two will be easier for most, with every right to assume the Lakers hold the advantage on form, having been competitive for longer periods in their three games to date.

However, Melton South will not know themselves this week on the back of a horror draw namely Melton, East Point, Sunbury and Sebastopol. How they cope with a more evenly matched opposition will go a long way to determining their genuine winning chances.

Either side will be made to earn it, even if the Panthers start underdogs despite being at home. They may have some confidence behind them having beaten the Lakers in Ballarat at their last meet.

Mini wins are a bonus for all clubs in the context of the season but for these two sides there's no such thing. It will be a major result for the winners, and only contemplation of what's next awaits the loser.

This should be an entertaining game. Unfortunately, the Panthers may be too many troops shy of their best 22 to win in front of their faithful. The Lakers while made to earn it, will be hopeful it could be all smiles ahead of the journey home.

Scoop’s tip: Lake Wendouree