While its second placed East Point taking on fifth placed North Ballarat, the Roosters could well be in for a long afternoon.

The Kangas have won their last 12 in a row, having won all six of their season home games by an average of just under 82 points. Extraordinary really.

Their overwhelming firepower has seen them catapulted to equal flag fancy alongside Melton boasting four of the top 14 goalkickers and number one target for marks inside 50 (Bryson McDougall).

Coach Joe Carmody has delivered on a team defence model led by Jacob Brown and Jackson Merrett that sees them ranked only behind Melton for average points conceded per game - a miserly 49 points.

North Ballarat had just seven players from their 2023 Grand Final side in their draw against Ballarat last week and will look to get a body of work into a host of potential returns ahead of a finals campaign.

Even in the event of four or five returning, which is unlikely, first up on Eastern Oval - expectations would be low given their respective (lengthy) layoffs.

But you have to give credit to Brendan McCartney's undermanned Roosters for hanging in, up against more seasoned opposition Darley, Melton and East Point having not been blown away in any.

In fact, the Roosters hit the front at Mars Stadium in the last quarter of their previous meet with the high-flying Kangaroos which poses a timely reminder for Carmody to keep the pedal to the metal.

Star Kangas midfielder Matty Johnston is endeavouring to make it four best on ground efforts in a row and give his Henderson Medal chances another boost.

Good luck the Roosters containing arguably the most in form midfielder in the competition.

A tough ask lies in waiting for the visitors, let's hope they get a change of luck at the selection table ahead of the BFNL's Match of the Round LIVE with vision and commentary via the BFNL Match Centre from 2pm Saturday.

SCOOP’S TIP
East Point

Redan will enjoy a change of fortunes when they host Melton South at City Oval.

The reality is, the Lions have lost six of their last seven games by an average of 63.5 points - their only win for the period coming against Bacchus Marsh in Round 10.

Sure, five of the Lions’ six defeats have come against top six opposition so expect the Pride to embrace the class drop here in front of home fans with a big win.

Getting back to hitting the scoreboard will be a welcoming feature for Gary Learmonth and his team who have been denied in recent weeks despite the weaponry forward of Lachie Bond, Grant Bell and Marty Boyer.

The connection of midfield entries into the Lions’ forward line has been a frustrating constant for Learmonth with four of their last six games ending in scores of 40 or less.

Look for some freedom on City Oval, no doubt Learmonth will push the want for his boys to enjoy their footy and as a result I’m sure we'll witness some bang for buck on the scoreboard.

The Lions had 26 scoring shots against the Burra last week, for just 10 goals. With a landslide of inside 50s predicted, expect something in the 20 goals+ range against the Panthers, whose struggles in Ballarat look set to continue.

Travis Hodgson's young group managed just the one goal in each of their previous two games, albeit against Melton and Sunbury.

I anticipate the former Cobras premiership coach will be wanting in excess of a five goal return against a leaking Lions defence who have conceded over 100 points, five times this season.     

SCOOP’S TIP
Redan

The fourth placed Devils welcome back star duo Brett Bewley and Billy Myers for their all-important meeting with the third placed Lions at Darley Park this Saturday.

Forget the first 15 rounds. In reality, the Devils title defence begins NOW as they move a step closer to resembling their best 22.

To suggest the stakes are high would be an understatement given the value of third place in the context of the BFNL finals series. The winner will move a game clear of the other with two games left to play.

The Devils at home, on talent alone will start slight favourites, but what's under the bonnet?

Questions will be asked of the Devils to produce for four quarters, not dissimilar to their last meet when the Lions over ran Dan Jordan's men. 

In essence it will be just the fifth game for the Devils in 10 weeks, not to mention a challenging period on the injury front.

The visiting Lions will be supremely fit, that's a given but will need to overcome the absence of under rated trio Jack Hannett, Jack Newitt and Jordan Tentonello - three bona fide defenders, good ball users, all crucial with their efficient rebounding, especially under pressure.

Expect the Lions’ inspirational leader Tyson Lever and breakout small forward Mitch McLean (34 goals) to return into a side coming off a monster 180-point win over Melton South.

Given the Lions’ bye in Round 14, it will be Lever and McLean's first hit-out in 21 days.

With Harry Power doubtful and Jake Egan likely to return through the reserves having not played since Round 11, the door is ajar for the Devils to turn the tables.

The two club’s fierce and healthy rivalry pre dates their entry into the BFNL in the mid-nineties with the weight of public interest likely to replicate a finals atmosphere on a perfect day forecast for football.

There's a bit left to play out here - I’ll let "actions" take care of the rest.

SCOOP’S TIP
Darley

Quite an interesting matchup looms at Marty Bush Reserve when the Burra host the Swans.

While I branded last week’s Sebastopol v Redan game as the unofficial decider for the 'best side outside the six', this showdown could easily be built up as the Burras’ grand final.

A chance to make it two wins in a row before a bye and potential third at home against Melton South beckons, finishing the year off on a high.

So given the scenario put to them, the Burra will need little motivation getting up for this game against a team that has essentially taken the one spot in the finals Tony Lockyer’s men were eyeing off a month ago.

So, what do the Swans have to play for? They're a lock for finals, won't want to get injured and may err on the weight of caution to make sure all is well upon their return to the September action.

I've no doubt outgoing Swans coach Chris Maple won't see it that way, he's not on a journey simply to make up the numbers in the first week of finals and will use this opportunity for further growth.

There is more to do at Ballarat this year and the Burra will provide the ideal hit out to work on the learnings of previous weeks.

Ball use and coping with pressure and perceived pressure will be high on the agenda at the Swans.

Their cattle is of sound quality, and proven more than capable on their day after a 22-point breakout win over Sunbury in Round 11.

I'm tipping Sebastopol to play with more freedoms under less pressure given what lies ahead for these two in 2024.

SCOOP’S TIP
Sebastopol

The Cobras host relentless flag fancies Melton at Maddingley Park this weekend.

Just where to start making a case for Dennis Armfield's group is not easy given they've won just one game post their Round 7 bye and have a 0-7 record against top six opposition in 2024.

The Bloods, put simply, are flying. The Cobras, still learning.

Bloods’ coach Troy Scoble will welcome a solid hit out in the lead up to finals with the 10th placed Lakers and Darley to come. Given the nature of the ladder, the Round 18 clash with the Devils could be a dead rubber, essentially two hours of preservation before the 'real stuff' begins.

The Cobras at their best would provide Scoble's Bloods with the desired intensity to sharpen them up off the bye. But what version of the red, yellow and black are we likely to see?

They were in the game on the road against North Ballarat just a fortnight ago before the flood gates opened.

The season long struggles for the Cobras conceding back-to-back goals is likely to go on for at least another week, such has been the dominance of the Bloods over the competition.

While we're sure to witness another promising performance from a next gen Cobra, the likelihood of that impacting the result is an ambitious call.

Mini wins will be on the agenda for Dennis Armfield.

Winning a half or even a quarter would be a huge result for the Cobras given the standings of the two clubs on the BFNL table.

Since the Cobras’ bye in Round 7 they have won just five quarters including games against bottom two sides Melton South and Lake Wendouree.

On the flipside, the Bloods have won 17 of their last 18 quarters, having lost just nine quarters for the season, rank one in the competition.

Look out Cobras, leading Bloods’ forward Braedan Kight will be on a mission to add to his tally of 59 goals and build on his four-goal advantage in the race for the Tony Lockett Medal.

I wish his direct opponent all the best!

SCOOP’S TIP
Melton