The 'nothing to lose' Swans are off to Marty Busch Reserve embracing another upset opportunity, this time against third placed Sebastopol.  

Coach Chris Maple will be hoping his young group, first and foremost, can stay in the game up until halftime as they've managed to do so recently against Redan (-4pts), East Point (-19pts) and North Ballarat (-4pts).

The Swans’ opposition, Sebastopol, loom an imposing task, especially in Ballarat. The onus on the importance of the Swans opening half comes on the back of the Burras’ impressive numbers for the period.

Of the Burras’ 11 games played (anywhere) in Ballarat - Luke Kiel and Michael Columbro's group have led at the main break 10 times, on the other occasion things were all level.

Only North Ballarat in Round 14 have been able to match the Burra at the halfway mark.

While it's a 'throw at the stumps' game for the Swans there's much more at stake for the hosts. A win will keep their top two chances alive, hoping the Devils can drop at least one of their two remaining games against Melton (H) and Sunbury (H).

Knowing Luke Kiel and Michael Columbro, further improvement and something resembling closer to their best will be enough for the dual appointees to be satisfied. The result will surely have taken care of itself in the event of the Burras delivering on internal expectation.

Keep an eye on the first half - can the plucky Swans buck the trend against the odds? Momentum will play a role here determining the extent of the final result as the hosts look to assert their authority early.

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol

A significant confidence edge awaits the winner of this top two meeting ahead of the BFNL finals series.

The Bloods and the Devils rank one and two in all areas of scoring both for and against, setting the scene for a mouthwatering match up.

While the Bloods hold the upper hand in all areas, the two are matched identically for shots on goal after 16 rounds with 402 apiece.

The Bloods are coming off the bye while the Devils will look to up the ante after their low pressured 212-point win over Melton South.

Leading forward Ryan Carter and swift ball user Adrian Monitto are expected to be in the mix for a Bloods return while the hosts get a boost with the addition of ruckman Lucas Impey (Western Jets) for another week.

We could expand at length about the likely scenarios of so many what ifs, but the reality is, this game in the context of the season, has more meaning for the Devils.

Dan Jordan's men still need one more win from their last two games to secure second spot and guarantee a prized double chance. Win, lose or draw, the Bloods standing won't be affected.

Sure, the reigning premiers were without Jack Walker, Lachie Watkins and Monitto at their first meet and lost Liam Carter midway through the game but that will account for very little come 2pm Saturday given both sides have moved on from their Round 8 battle of attrition.

While the Devils landed the points that day, they will again start the underdogs against the top placed Bloods. But Dan Jordan’s men are more than capable of claiming the four points at home.

This timely footy audit will be welcomed by both sides, a last chance to fine tune, hone skills and gain learnings against a long-term, well-respected rival.

Scoop’s tip: Darley

Bacchus Marsh will look to make it a hattrick of wins in the back half of the season when they endeavour to upset finals fancy Sunbury at Clarke Oval.

While the Cobras have shown encouraging signs with big wins coming in, the reality is all four of their season wins have come against the two sides below them, Lake Wendouree and Melton South.

The Lions however, are fresh from a fortnight footy audit on the road that saw them finish within 27 points of ladder leaders Melton and 12 points of North Ballarat at the fortress that is Mars Stadium.

Consume the form as you please, but the two honourable losses of the Lions carries more weight than the Cobras’ 106 and 92 point wins.

The Lions are near full health and will welcome a solid hitout against the improving Cobras who will retain their Coates Talent League boys for another week. 

Travis Hodgson's group have proven capable of hitting the scoreboard in 2023 with Melton and Darley the only teams bettering their 101-point average per game.

In defence the Lions rank fifth conceding 64 points on average per game. On the flipside the Cobras rank eighth in both offence 67 ppg and defence conceding 81 ppg.

Given the Cobras sheer weight of possession over the last two weeks, their impact without the ball will be tested on the wide expanses of Clarke Oval.

Sunbury are one of the teams more prone to a 'keepings off' style of play.

The ability for the Cobras to win the ball back could be telling. Just an even share of possession will be testing for the Jason Williams’ Cobras hitting the scoreboard given the strength and accountability of the Lions’ defence.

Admittedly youngsters Joel Freeman, Isaac Nixon and Will Lalor give the Cobras a different look forward alongside the BFNLs number one contested marking option in Jake Owen but overcoming Sunbury looms a formidable task.

Scoop’s tip: Sunbury

While the result of this match-up is deemed inevitable, Redan will look to adhere to the buzz word of many a modern-day coach to max out their returns - 'process'.

Surely if the Lions play to instruction, with a team first mantra, the 'process' will evidently take care of itself, restoring confidence in a group nervously trying to hang on to a spot in the finals.

East Point (7th) are breathing down their necks and have played enough good footy in recent times to suggest they will get the job done comfortably across town against the Lakers.

Just what went wrong last week when the Lions coughed up a 35-point quarter time lead had many, most of all loyal fans, wondering what is going on.

Surely a finals berth is enough motivation to complete the job at hand. I've no doubt executing on the 'process' was found wanting despite the will of the Swans to turn the game around with little to play for on the finals front.

Expect the Lions to take advantage of the struggling Panthers, who can't wait for season's end with the bye to follow. Tipping they'll either be 'pesty' with their efforts knowing it's their last hurrah or the cue is already in the rack and the Lions win big.

Containing the hosts leading scorers Isaac Grant, Grant Bell and progressive youngster Marty Boyer could prove the difference between a respectable loss or a total blow out for the embattled Panthers.

Tipping something in between and the Lions to open right up and resemble something closer to their best adhering to their 'process'.

There's no better time to start finding some touch and sensing a team-oriented buy-in worthy of a prized finals spot inside the top six.

Scoop’s tip: Redan

The Kangas will aim to put this game to bed early and set themselves up for a significant percentage boost when travel to CE Brown Reserve.

Jackson Merrett's seventh placed group remain a live chance to play finals despite the likelihood of sixth placed Redan recording a big win over winless Melton South.

The Kangas energies will be all in on what they can control and that starts with an impressive team victory over the one-win Lakers.

The visitors’ top end talent are in good form and the spread of goals forward evenly balacned. To put it into perspective, the Kangas have seven players with 13 goals or more, the Lakers, just one.

Tim Shearer’s Lakers have shown periods of competitiveness against quality opposition for small periods and will look to bounce back after their disappointing 92-point loss to ninth placed Bacchus Marsh.

The Kangas will look to deny the home side any momentum, especially early. If this can eventuate, look for the visitors to surpass the 100-point total for a seventh time this season and stay within touch of the Lions’ expected percentage again at City Oval.

While Henderson Medal contender Jordy Johnston will look to add a sixth BOG performance to enhance his chances for the prestigious individual award, the revered forward come midfielder would be the first to acknowledge a far greater goal lies at stake for the proud club who haven't missed a finals series since 2017.

Scoop’s tip: East Point