Reigning premiers Melton remain on the road for a second week when they meet a Bacchus Marsh outfit clinging to fifth place on the BFNL ladder.

While the Bloods locked themselves in for another final’s series last week with a narrow win over North Ballarat, they would be keen to take another step forward with their midfield connection without the likes of Jaycob Hickey, and overall efficiency on goal.

With a relatively dry forecast at Maddingley Park on Saturday, Troy Scoble's group get an ideal opportunity against a very competitive Cobras lineup to recapture some of that ‘Bloods aura’ that took them to a 19-1 season in 2024.

Conversion in front of goal for the Bloods is a concern (48% - down 15% on last year from 1st to 7th) but expect them to 'get a few looks' at the weekend against the Cobras who rank just ninth in defence for the last seven weeks.

The Bloods defence is sound, rank one for the sample size despite losses to Darley, Redan and Sebastopol and will make it difficult for the Cobras to post a winning score in the absence of Jake Owen (finger).

Cobras’ coach Dennis Armfield has every right to be excited about the future with their next gen talent, including four recent BFNL interleague representatives Josh Huxtable (20), Isaac Nixon (20), Rye Penny (20) and Jack Kovacevic (21).

You would think all must play a significant role, alongside seasoned trio Luke Goetz, Jamie Fulton and Jake McCreery to entertain any 'big scalp' ambitions.

Bacchus Marsh should be better suited at home after a tough trip to Eastern Oval last week and are likely to name a similar line-up, while Bloods’ quartet Jordy Cotter, Luke Heaney, Brodie Sullivan and Max Scoble will need to pass a fitness test to earn the nod of selectors.

Scoop’s tip

Melton

Just what version of Redan are we likely to see given the recent departure of popular coach Gary Learmonth when they host ladder leaders Darley, a well-oiled side currently on a 13-game winning streak.

Despite the home ground advantage and recent competitive record against the Devils, the chase for a fourth win of the season will be a tough ask.

The Lions will endeavour to stay in the present and reproduce the kind of form that led them to a miracle, come from behind win over Melton just three weeks ago. 

While the BFNL ladder shows the Lions in ninth place, their form over the last seven weeks has been encouraging even though the W2 L5 record suggests otherwise.

In a tough, and every even competition, the Lions rank seventh in offence and defence for the period.

You only have to look at the season form of Brodie Pope, Rory Gunsser, Taj Bond, Rudie Fode, Lachie George and the x-factor talents of Lachie Bond and Lachie McLean to confirm the Lions pose a genuine threat and will be planned for accordingly.

Devils’ coach Dan Jordan faces an interesting night at the selection table following their 123-point win over Lake Wendouree.

Rested quartet Billy Myers, Luther Baker, Wil Johnson and Joel Cadman will be in the mix for a return as will Duncan Cadman, Leigh Spiteri and Jack Crawford who made inroads via the reserves last week after missing a block of footy.

Unfortunately, the build-up hasn't been ideal for the Lions but bet your bottom dollar it will business as usual for Jordan and his touring party, fully aware an interim coach appointment can draw a curve ball, in the name of an upset.

Expect the Devils to be prepared, trained to the minute and ruthless in their pursuit for victory.

Scoop’s tip

Darley

Despite the absence of key trio Matty Johnston, Bryson McDougall and Joe Dodd, the Kangas will start warm favourites to consolidate second place on the BFNL ladder when they host the Swans.

If the Kangas’ superior ladder position wasn't convincing enough, try their imposing unbeaten run of 15 games at Eastern Oval to add to the degrees of difficulty facing Ash Baker's Ballarat.

East Point are just a different proposition to overcome at Eastern Oval; they play the ground so well.

Unfortunately, inclement weather and untimely (footy) traffic has affected the often pristine surface of Eastern Oval.

The writing was on the wall as early as three weeks ago in the Kangas’ 22-point win over Sunbury when most players fell victim to the heavy ground conditions and slippery surface.

Reigning Henderson Medallist Matty Johnston (ankle) could attest to the theory having not played since.

Ballarat won't be too concerned with the nature of the surface, in fact they will welcome a slow deck, not dissimilar to the one experienced at Alfredton Oval last year when the Swans upset Joe Carmody's high flying Kangas.

The Swans have been a competitive unit all year bar their 79-point thrashing against the Kangas at their previous meet in Round 7, when the flag fancies went to work ending with 11 goalkickers in one of their finest team efforts for the season.

Usual suspects Jordy Johnston, Jacob Brown, Mickitja Rotumah-Onus and Jackson Merrett will lead the charge for the hosts, endeavouring to keep their stellar season intact despite missing a number of soldiers.

For the Swans, their slim chances begin at the source, their pressure under Baker has earned the plaudits of other rival coaches at the pointy end. 

The Rinaldi and Maple brothers, Wyatt Squires, Paddy Simpson and Fraser Perkins are capable of testing the bigger bodied Kangas midfield while Harry Butler and Andrew Hooper can provide the x-factor forward craft that equates to scores.

Big ask for the Swans, but belief is a non-negotiable, their finals chances depend on it with a tough run to follow against Bacchus Marsh (H), Melton (A) and Redan (H).

Scoop’s tip

East Point

Given Sebastopol's recent revival and swift move into the six, it's time for consolidation when they host Sunbury at Marty Busch Reserve.

Burra coach Tony Lockyer would admit his troops got away with one last week and will need to find their best if they're to topple a Lions outfit on their fourth trip to Ballarat in five weeks.

Not dissimilar to last year, Sunbury have had their struggles in the back half of the season having won three of their last seven games and were stretched on their home deck last week against Ballarat.

There's an inkling around the competition the Burra are here to stay inside the six, and a win over Sunbury would not surprise.

The form, the resurgence, of Sebastopol if you like has come on the back of not only returning soldiers but a spike in offence and defence accountability that sees them rank fourth and third respectively over the last seven weeks including four wins.

Sunbury on the other hand rank sixth for the period in both areas despite their fourth place standing on the BFNL ladder.    

This match up will provide a timely reminder where both teams are at with just four home and away games remaining.

While there's less pressure on Matt White's Sunbury, who host Lake Wendouree next week, before Bacchus Marsh (A) and Melton (H), the Burra’s unofficial finals campaign starts now or risk being usurped by North Ballarat (7th) or Ballarat (8th) who sit half a game behind on 22 premiership points.

Just who Lockyer sends to star Lions’ forward Jake Sutton will be pivotal given the Essendon VFL talent has bags of five goals or more in seven of his 13 games.

The reliance on Sutton hitting the scoreboard is crucial given key forward Daniel Johnson has missed the last three games due to Coburg VFL selection.

For the record Sutton has kicked 11 of Sunbury's 24 goals (46%) in Johnson's absence.     

Scoop’s tip

Sebastopol

The current form of North Ballarat gives every indication a comfortable win is in store over the winless Lakers at CE Brown Reserve.

While the margin is may be up for question, expect the Lakers to make the Roosters earn their spoils.

It's unfortunate the Lakers don't have a focal point forward aiding their cause on the scoring front, with a miserly average of 46 points per game.

Sure, the Roosters average just 20 points more on average but expect a spike in their numbers to validate the separation.

The result does look inevitable on exposed form but who is going to do the damage on the scoreboard for the Roosters given their average returns for the last seven weeks must be asked.

North have averaged just a whisker over 52 points per game - hardly convincing.

But what the Roosters do have is a touch of class among their top end who could all play a role forward, putting this game to bed early.

Josh Morris could be the man to join Hugh Trigg in the Roosters front half, planting the seed for a big day out.

The former Box Hill VFL listed Morris can play anywhere and has been quite the band-aid utility for coach Clint Proctor amid the frustrations of a broader group hampered by injury and unavailability.

The Lakers will miss heart and soul ruckman Tom Zampatti for another week and will look for Jaydo Wright to assume the 'big man duties'.

Wright was a standout in last week’s loss to Darley and was instrumental in his club’s third quarter effort that saw the Lakers boot four of their five goals for the match.

In isolation, the plucky Lakers were just a goal shy from pinching the quarter.

Any copy paste period from the Lakers will ask questions of the Roosters desperate to maintain good habits with a game on their own terms.

No doubt there will be an interesting postscript to process in the aftermath.

The inside battle, fundamental efficiency and reward on goal are three key areas both Proctor and Lakers’ coach Rohan Brown will be casting a keen eye on.            

Scoop’s tip

North Ballarat