League heavyweights Sunbury and Melton face-off in one of four matches to round out the BFNL home and away season that bare significant impact on the make-up of the top six.

The winner here will earn the prized third place on the ladder, a position of preference for many given the nature of the top six model and a potential double chance that beckons post week one of the finals.

However, let's pull up for a second - there's a bit to play out here given the current narrative of both teams.

Despite Melton's impressive stranglehold over Sunbury in recent times, the pressure is on the Lions to get it done.

They're surely ready to peak on their home deck when it counts most, while the Bloods are in effect trying to find their feet having won just 2 games (and a draw) from their last seven, after a blistering 9-1 start!

Unfortunately for the reigning premiers they have been a juggling act at selection through the back half with no less than three changes per week involving quintessential personnel.

To highlight the Bloods’ struggles, they have lost more quarters than they have won since their last meeting with the Lions and haven't been able to recapture their scoreboard dominance.

In fact, since their last meeting with Sunbury, the Bloods have been held to one goal or less in 11 of 36 quarters (excluding their matchup with the Lakers), while managing five goals (of their own) or more in a quarter just 4 of 36 times. Very 'un-Melton-like' given we're fully aware of their firepower.

For the period (again, excluding the Lakers game) the Bloods have kicked an inaccurate 75.84, some 33 goals shy of the Lions who kicked 108.69.

It is interesting to learn the Lions aren't dissimilar to their name by nature in the way they've gone about things in the back half of the season.

Matty White's pride are ferocious on the hunt and score accordingly with 6 of 36 quarters recording five goals or more including a six, seven and an eight!

Seemingly however, post feed the Lions don't mind the odd nap given they too have been held to one goal or less in 9 of 36 quarters (minus a meet with the Lakers) since their last encounter with the Bloods.

Tipping both sides will have their opportunities and split the quarters two wins apiece - but who can have the most effect with 'their time' hitting the scoreboard to seal the result?

Surely, it's Sunbury's turn to buck the trend and announce their arrival as genuine contenders.

For the record

• Melton has won nine of their last 10 meetings against Sunbury, including the last five in succession.
• Last five matches at Clarke Oval; Sunbury 2 - Melton 3.

Scoop’s tip

Sunbury

While the Swans’ finals chances depend on Darley beating a loaded North Ballarat, the bevy under Ash Baker must first and foremost, earn the right staking a claim, downing Redan at Alfredton Oval.

The Round 8 meet earlier this season was a thriller - just when the Swans looked home five goals up at the 18th minute mark, the Lions came with a powerful surge.

Enough to hit the lead momentarily before the Swans did enough in the end to finish with their noses in front.

The Swans will miss marquee recruit 'Biggie' Nyuon (foot) for their most important game of the season and rely on the experience and direction of Andrew Hooper to marshal the troops in an orderly fashion, capable of achieving the mission, no matter the challenge.

Tristan Maple, Fraser Perkins, Harry Butler and the Rinaldi brothers represent an exciting brand of footy for the Swans that has them in a position to pinch a berth in the six that appeared unlikely for periods given their eighth place on the ladder.

The courage shown on the road last week for the Swans to kick the last goal of the game to draw with reigning premiers Melton is a testament to their will and character.

But can they connect again, one more time for the greater good?  

The mortality of the Swans’ season under Baker in his first year depends on it.

Surely it's Redan's top six that looms as the Swans greatest challenge ensuring a positive result.

Lachie and Taj Bond, Lachie George, Brody Pope, Rudie Forde and Rory Gunsser are bona fide quality and collectively have the versatility to win the Lions a game of footy on any day.

If it happens to be Saturday, the Lions will have had to break a run of four outs against the Swans and winning drought at Alfredton Oval since 2019.  

For the record

• Ballarat has won their last four meetings against Redan.
• Redan has not won at Alfredton Oval since 2019.

Scoop’s tip

Ballarat

Fifth placed North Ballarat have made their intentions clear ahead of their potential do-or-die encounter with Darley, naming as many as six current VFL listed players, including Werribee ball magnet Jack Riding, for his first game of the season.

While the Roosters have lost their last three meets to the Devils and five of their last six at Darley Park, coach Clint Proctor won't be leaving any stone unturned in a bid for a finals berth.

As it stands if North Ballarat beat the Devils, they're in. If they lose, the Roosters will need Redan (ninth) to beat Ballarat (eighth) at Alfredton Oval, something the Lions haven't done since 2019.

Regardless of the 'heat' and the 'physical' expected for the Devils on Saturday, it's coach Dan Jordan who holds all the aces.

Given the Devils cannot lose top regardless of the result, Jordan can dictate the narrative whether the Roosters like it or not.

James Van Ess, Jaylen Thorpe, Tom Phillips, Denver Grainger- Barrass, Josh Morris and Riding are just some of the bigger names arriving with the Roosters on Saturday.

Unfortunately, Riley Polkinghorne was to be a part of the mission but has since withdrawn with injury.

The Roosters spine reads impressively at the BFNL level with the inclusion of big man Cam McCallum in the ruck.

The Devils will welcome the challenge; in fact, it wouldn't surprise if Jordan's army even prefer the solid hit-out over anything less.

The band has essentially just got back together after some player management in recent weeks so a second week of action in high gear should tune the Devils up perfectly ahead of a home qualifying final with East Point on August 30^th.

X-factor Devil and premiership half back Mace Cousins (Werribee VFL) is set for a welcomed return in what should be a cracking game for more reasons than one.  

For the record

• Darley has won seven of the last 10 meetings with North Ballarat including the last three in succession.
• Darley has won six of their last seven meetings against North Ballarat at Darley Park.

Scoop’s tip

Darley

WIN AND YOU'RE IN!

The stakes could not be greater for the winner of Sebastopol and Bacchus Marsh in their Round 18 battle at Marty Busch Reserve.

Finals await the winner, contemplation and Mad Monday the loser.

Speculation surrounding a whirlwind return for Cobras’ spearhead Jake Owen (finger) will make up just part of the narrative in the build up to Saturday.

Owen (55 goals) faces a test on Thursday to gain the tick of approval in a race against time.

Burras’ coach Tony Lockyer has little time to worry about the probables and the improbables, opting to fine tune his own troops ahead of a return bid to finals.

While the visiting team has won seven of the last 10 meetings between these two sides, Lockyer wouldn't pass up the chance getting the job done in front of the Burra's loyal and faithful for anything.

So, the Cobras will arrive with a few question marks over the fitness of a few before entering Marty Busch 'arena' surrounded by the passionate Burra mob.

How Cobras’ coach Dennis Armfield finds a way to book a spot in the finals on the back of two failed attempts in the last fortnight will be compelling.

Strangely, it feels like the Burra have the momentum, healthier list and the aid of the comforts playing at home.

The Cobras will need to be on their mettle for four quarters, two peaks of impression won't be enough to withstand the resistance.

It's four-to-the-floor stuff for the Cobras on Saturday; they can't win without it.

Cobra 'hits to advantage' on the back of Luke Goetz’ tireless work will have its own levels of measurable impact in the aftermath.

Jake McCreery, Jamie Fulton and Josh Huxtable loom the immediate beneficiaries and must take their moments. 

Failure to capitalise means Lockyer, Jack Bambury, Lachie Cassidy and co will have pounced, fed the pack and fled with the prized 'golden ticket' enroute to finals. 

For the record

• Last 10 meets - Sebastopol 5 - Bacchus Marsh 5.
• Five of the last seven meetings between Sebastopol and Bacchus Marsh has been won by the visiting team.
• Since Bacchus Marsh won 14 games in a row against Sebastopol from 2011-2018, the Burra have won five of the last eight meetings.

Scoop’s tip

Sebastopol

A superior East Point outfit will use this opportunity for a timely return of at least some of their top-end talent ahead of finals.

The hit-out should serve Kangas’ quintet Jordy Johnston, Bryce McDougall, Joe Dodd, Jack Jeffrey and Brodie Willems well - a chance to find some touch ahead of an all-important qualifying final against Darley on August 30^th.

Unfortunately, Matty Johnston, Alex Molan, Joel Van Meel and Patrick Hannaford will miss and be afforded every chance of a return ahead of a demanding finals campaign.

The Lakers will be missing a few of their own - big men Tom Zampatti and Jaydo Wright are done for the season while accumulator Angus Gove has gone in for surgery.

Rohan Brown's group have endured very little luck at the selection table all season and are likely to blood at least another two debutants at the weekend.

Tough ask against the league's number two team, but it's an opportunity Brown will not pass up.

The Kangas will look to get through squeaky clean ahead of bigger assignments but expect the Lakers to bring the heat as best they can and go out on a high, with the intent of pinching a 'one quarter' win.

While unlikely, Kangas’ coach Joe Carmody would be more than happy to hand that 'mini win' over if it meant getting through the game without a glitch.

Expect the managed Kangas, on the back of some 'heavy track' performances to cruise though their last hit-out and be fine-tuned for a crack at a third flag in the last six (completed) seasons.

For the record

• East Point have won their last 11 meetings against the Lakers, including their last three by an average of 100 points.
• Lake Wendouree's last win at home against East Point featured in 2017.

Scoop’s tip

East Point