The Ballarat Swans are aiming for three wins on the trot and an opportunity to consolidate their place inside the top six when they travel to CE Brown Reserve to take on the Lakers this Saturday.

The two recent wins for Chris Maple's group ahead of their bye in Round 13 warranted plenty of merit accounting for Sunbury (22 points) and Redan (69 points).

While the jury rests over the scope and potential of the Swans moving forward, we're left to ponder just what version of the Lakers we're going to get.

On six occasions already this season (twice at home) the enigmatic Lakers have been held to five goals or less for the match holding grave fears for their ability recording an upset over the Swans and third win of 2024.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, despite frequent encouragement from rival coaches in the post-match, they're habitual sleepers at the wheel.

In 12/48 quarters this season, the Lakers have conceded six goals or more with nine of those resulting in seven or more.

On the flipside around scoring, the Lakers have been held goalless in 10/48 quarters.

The Lakers have gone on the record requesting no favours or concessions be made around age or where they're at re development. Request granted.

We look for a response from the Lakers on the perfect stage, the BFNL Match of the Round, streamed LIVE across the country.

Can Rohan Brown's Lakers find their groove and catch the Swans napping early off the bye and throw a spanner in the works for Chris Maple ahead of a likely finals preparation?

I'm not so sure - it's really a game the Swans should be winning on exposed form.

Scoop’s tips
Ballarat

Despite recent improvement, the Panthers face a near impossible task containing crosstown rival and ladder leaders Melton when they venture to MacPherson Park.

Where do you start breaking this game down, defining a 'mini win' for Travis Hodgson's struggling group?

I'm not sure even Hodgson has put a finger on it in the lead up.

Weather permitting the Bloods will have every opportunity matching their Round 1 return on the scoreboard in excess of 200 points if they don their kicking boots.

To put the disparity into perspective, Bloods’ star forward Braedan Kight (58 goals) has kicked 15 more goals than the Panthers have for the season.

Even Ryan Carter (29 goals) and Kyle Borg (19 goals) as an unlikely combo have more, highlighting the degrees of difficulty around containment awaiting the embattled Panthers.

What Hodgson and his club can ask for is effort, an area you can't deny the Panthers of in recent weeks.

Their core group led by Cody Chapman are a proud group despite their winless record in 2024 and will need little motivation getting up for another chapter of the local derby.

This match will tell us more about the Panthers than it will the Bloods.

With the result deemed inevitable given the current landscape - just how long the Panthers can hang in and savour a few moments hitting the scoreboard may be enough to redeem a wry smile out of the Hodgson camp, on an otherwise tough afternoon expected for the navy blue and white.   

Scoop’s tip
Melton

Despite the undermanned nature of the Roosters, expect them to start red hot favorites when they host the Cobras at Mars Stadium.

Both sides have had their struggles in more recent times with the Roosters dropping their last two games and the Cobras five of their last six. But the form of Brendan McCartney's inexperienced group reads undoubtedly more favourable (Darley, Melton) than Dennis Armfield's touring party.

Mars Stadium has not been a successful hunting ground for any visitors let alone the Cobras, earmarking the challenge for Armfield as one of the toughest over his short tenure.

I know looking back at previous results has its flaws, but there's no denying the Cobras will be up against it despite retaining the likes of Rye Penny and Wil Lalor.

However, they will miss feverish on-ballers Tyson Shea (jaw) and Jake McCreery (suspended) - both crucial to their fortunes, especially against top five opposition.  

If there was ever a time to get last year’s grand finalists, the time is now.

Just 10 players from the Roosters’ agonising one point loss to the Devils in 2023 took the field last week against Melton.

The absentees would walk into any other BFNL side, plain and simple.

So, the Cobras arrive with an outside prizefighter’s chance of walking away with their biggest win of the season and their first against any side currently above them.

Luke Goetz, Jake Owen and a host of improving youngsters are capable of taking it up to the hosts for periods but can the remaining collective match the trademark effort and intensity of a Roosters group on their home deck for long enough?

I anticipate the assignment proves a bridge too far.  

Scoop’s tip
North Ballarat

The injury ravaged Devils could fall from third to fifth in a fortnight and as low as sixth by the end of the home and away season if they fail to account for Sebastopol at Darley Park.

Given the absence of key personnel in all areas, the Devils (4th) will start underdogs, in my opinion, against a surging Burras (8th) outfit, despite their superior position on the BFNL table.

While the Devils squad of 22 is looking less and less familiar by the week, Tony Lockyer's visiting party is beginning to resemble more like the Burra we know following the return of star mid Lachie Cassidy and attacking half back Jack Bambury.

Key intercept defender Riley O'Keefe was a late out last week in the Burras 58-point win over the Lakers and is likely to return, bolstering stocks even further.

Important inside mid Daniel Widgery who has been in the best 4/10 games will also be in consideration after also missing against the Lakers.

Let's not forget, the Burra arrive on a mission of their own with their season on the line.

Led by Tony Lockyer (in best 9/12), the injury free, now reborn midfielder has been in super form, named 'best on' for the Burra in five of his last eight games.

That's Matty Johnston and Brett Bewley kind of stuff!

Speaking of Bewley, let's address the elephant in the room.

If the reigning dual Henderson Medalist does not play (50/50 as it stands), the Devils will surely struggle given Billy Myers, Brady Wright, Wil Johnson, Zane Le Huray (suspended), Mitch Ward and Jack Bewley are already sidelined.

Surely they won't risk their premiership captain ahead of the bye in Round 15 with important run home matches against Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh and Melton.

It's time for the remaining Devils, led by Luther Baker, Matty Brett and Matty Denham to pick up the slack, find a way and drag the backs-to-the-wall reigning premiers over the line.

Tough ask.    

Scoop’s tip
Sebastopol