Despite Sunbury having taken the honours in their last four clashes with Redan, there’s always been a sense that the maroon and gold Lions haven’t been too far off the pace.

The margins – 27, 25, 31 and 26 points – tell the story of a competitive rivalry that hasn’t quite swung Redan’s way in recent times.

Ironically, the four matches before that were all wins to Redan, each by around the 20-point mark.

If form lines are anything to go by, these two clubs always find a way to keep it close –even if the scoreboard tells a slightly different story in the end.

Redan’s season hasn’t followed the script they’d hoped for.

Injuries have taken their toll and consistency has been hard to come by.

But there’s a real chance to reset here.

Back on home turf, and with Jacob Short returning to the line-up, Redan has a valuable opportunity to spark a second-half revival.

His experience will be crucial in steadying a young side still searching for rhythm.

When these two met on Good Friday, Redan pushed Sunbury early but couldn’t sustain the effort across four quarters.

Sunbury’s strength this season has been their accuracy – ranked among the best in front of goal – while Redan has often let themselves down.

If Redan are to give themselves a chance, they’ll need to convert every shot and make the most of their time inside 50.

For Sunbury, this is a game they simply cannot afford to drop.

Sitting among the top four with fierce competition around them, every win matters.

Expect them to be sharp, focused, and ready to capitalise on any Redan lapse.

It’s been a tough run for the home side, but if there’s ever a week to stand up, this is it.

Tip: Sunbury

This could well be a match between two teams destined to play a (very) major final later this year.

It was the season opener the last time these two met, where Melton – despite a goalless third term – played their composed and consistent brand of football to take a 12-point win.

For those who like patterns, wins have come in bunches of 3s and 4s between these teams since 2011.

Melton scored three on the trot, followed by Darley (3), a draw, Darley again (4), then Melton (4), Darley (3), and now Melton has won the last four.

The venue holds no fears for the Bloods either, having won four of the last five times they've played the Devils there.

Just past the halfway mark of the competition, both sides have dropped just one game. Melton’s only loss came at the hands of East Point.

Darley’s came in Round 1 – to the Bloods.

Michael Edwards led the way on the scoreboard last time with four goals, while Jaycob Hickey was a standout for the Bloods. Expect both to be influential again.

Since that round one clash, Darley have looked like the team to beat. Their strength through the middle – Luther Baker, Nic Hind and Brett Bewley – has given them the edge in clearances.

Melton’s forward line will again be a focus. Braeden Kight, Liam Carter and Jordan Kight give them a strong contested marking presence. The Bloods will want to make every inside 50 count.

Top spot on the ladder is up for grabs. With the table shifting week to week, every win matters – and this one’s no exception.

Tip: Darley

There’s a fair bit of weight in this one.

Ballarat currently sit fifth on 18 points. North Ballarat slipped to seventh on 14, with Bacchus Marsh sandwiched in between on 16.

Assuming Bacchus Marsh take care of Lake Wendouree, a Ballarat win likely sees them take a finals spot. A North Ballarat win? They leapfrog the Swans, their percentage doing the heavy lifting.

It’s a must win for both.

Their season opener ended in a draw — and a lot has changed since.

Biggie Nyoun and Mal White were standouts last time. Both are missing from the sides now.

If the Swans are to claim four points, efficiency inside 50 will be key.

They trail the Roosters in this area, and with Denver Grainger-Barras in form, clean entries will be crucial.

Andrew Hooper has been the Swans' go-to in front of goal, but he’ll need support from Jack O’Brien and Luke Gray to hit the scoreboard.

For the Roosters, last week’s blowout aside, they’ve shown finals-worthy form.

Despite a tough start and an injury-hit list, Clint Proctor’s group have begun to gel.

They’re winning enough ball and giving themselves every opportunity.

It’s one of the biggest games of the round — and the top six could look very different depending on the outcome.

Tip: North Ballarat

These two sides enter today’s clash with very different objectives – Sebastopol desperate to keep its finals hopes alive, while East Point aims to cement a top-two spot.

It’s been all East Point in recent meetings.

The Roos have claimed the last four encounters between the clubs, including their Round 1 meeting earlier this year.

That game saw Sebastopol finish strong with a six-goal final term and saw Hugo Papst open his account for the season with a massive seven goal haul.

Micka Rotumah-Onus was a standout for East Point that day, and his absence from the side this weekend will be a noticeable gap – especially with his impact around the clearances.

The Burra will need to find a way to compete in the ruck, where they’ve been well behind this season.

Lach Cassidy and Tony Lockyer will need to be fierce at the fall of the ball, with the Roos likely to dominate first use.

Joel Van Meel remains the key for East Point in the middle – and if he can link consistently with Joe Dodd and Matt Johnston, the Roos' spread and speed will be hard to contain.

Up forward, Bryson McDougall continues to make an impact.

He slotted five goals the last time these two met and has found form at the right end of the season.

Keeping him quiet will be high on Sebastopol’s agenda.

This game means everything for the Burra.

They’ve been up and down, but their best footy has shown they can match it with strong opposition.

A win today could re-ignite their campaign, and history gives them a glimmer of hope – Sebastopol have won two of their last three clashes with East Point at Marty Busch Reserve.

For East Point, it’s the kind of game they simply have to win.

In a top-four race where percentage and consistency are key, these are the match-ups they’ll want to bank, especially with other contenders breathing down their neck.

It’s a test of belief for the Burra, and one of discipline for the Roos.

Tip: East Point

Bacchus Marsh has won six of its last seven against Lake Wendouree.

Encouragingly for the Lakers, three of those six losses came by ten points or less – a reminder that on their day, they can compete.

The two clubs are evenly matched historically, both sitting on 27 wins apiece, with the Lakers holding the slightest edge at home.

The last time these two met, the Cobras ran out 53-point winners – but it was far from a perfect outing.

The Lakers actually kicked their highest score for the season that day, and if not for a sluggish opening term, it might’ve been a much smaller margin.

Expect them to take some confidence out of that and come into this clash looking to attack early and stay in the game for longer.

Jake Owen had a day out in that last meeting, finishing with seven goals.

Angus O’Keefe or Angus Gove are likely to get the job on him this time around – a big ask, but one that could have a huge impact on the game’s outcome.

The Cobras’ path to finals remains wide open, but they can’t afford any missteps.

A win here keeps them in the hunt and builds important percentage in what’s shaping up to be a tightly contested bottom half of the top six.

For Lake Wendouree, it’s not just about chasing a win – it’s about continuing to find scoreboard pressure and getting reward for effort.

They’ve shown patches where things click, and if they can string together four quarters, they’ll back themselves in to cause an upset.

There’s plenty on the line for the Cobras. For the Lakers, pride, progress, and the chance to shake up the ladder.

Tip: Bacchus Marsh