A top of the table clash, the potential to break a hoodoo, a mirror image of youth and experience, a couple that are too close to call, and can a half-time scare become a full-time shock?
Scoop previews Round Three
Head-to-Head last 5 meetings: East Point 2 - Sunbury 3
Make no mistake, a near full-strength Sunbury were bitterly disappointed coughing up their first game at home against an undermanned Melton last week. Saturday’s assignment doesn't get any easier for the highway travelling Lions when they meet East Point.
In fairness, the Kangas form in their opening two rounds has been patchy, as coach Jake Bridges and his team shuffle the magnets to find their most effective combination minus stars Jordy Johnston, Jacob Brown and Jake McQueen. So, if there is a time to come up against the reigning dual premiers it's now before they truly hit their straps.
We've seen glimpses in the opening fortnight just how damaging they can be, but if made accountable, you must give Sunbury a real chance.
Lions coach Travis Hodgson boasts one of the best highway travel records across the competition with 14.5 wins from 23 trips at 60.7% (to Ballarat) during his time at Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury, with a comp winning average of 27%.
With Sunbury's top-end ego momentarily bruised, they have the perfect opportunity to restore confidence against the competition yardstick of the last two seasons.
For the Kangas sake, let's hope Bridges has done his homework, as Bloods coach Aaron Tymms did because this game is poised to go down to the wire.
Neither side will be far enough in front to apply the brakes, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Head-to-Head last 5 meetings: Melton South 0 - Bacchus Marsh 5
Melton South's early form - despite a familiar 0-2 record - has shown enough to suggest that recent history will account for nothing when they meet bogey side, Bacchus Marsh.
While it's no secret the Panthers have struggled in recent times, it's been the Cobras who have really got hold of them, averaging 131 on the scoreboard with an average winning margin of 73 points. I would be completely shocked to witness similar returns on Saturday.
The entry of quality stocks into the Panthers 2021 line-up, namely Bradley Olsson, Shaun Wyatt and Dylan Conway, will be the driving force if they're to steal the points. 'Steal' might be a little harsh on the Panthers, given they matched Redan last week and the old foe Melton for intensity for periods in the season opener.
Not to be outdone, Bacchus Marsh has their fair share of top-end talent who will be brimming with confidence after their comfortable win over Darley. Daniel Burton is the star of the show - good luck denying the lead role any dialogue! The 2018 Henderson Medallist will give playing coach Tom German, alongside Harry King and Nick Stuhldreier, first opportunity out of centre bounce and stoppages to capitalise moving forward.
Waiting inside the Cobras forward-50 will be the Owen brothers and Aaron Willetts, who head a three-pronged attack hungry for a bag.
For the Panthers forwards, the likelihood of posting a match-winning score will rely heavily on the returns of Dylan Conway. No surprises there, nor with his likely match-up of Daniel Velden or Ryan Bartlett. Personally, I'd be more than happy to entertain the element of surprise and send Jake Owen to Conway - what a match up!
Head-to-Head last 5 meetings: Melton 2 - Sebastopol 3
In contrast to previous seasons, I think coming off the bye in 2021 will be an advantage. We saw the Lakers off the bye in Round One get off to a flyer against East Point in the opening half to lead by 19-points.
I'm putting it out there that Sebastopol will do the same against the Bloods, who've had two tough openers - the physicality of Round One and covering the wide-open spaces of Clarke Oval in Round Two.
Post-COVID has been a taxing return on the players’ bodies. If Sebastopol can start the way they finished against East Point in Round One, that just might be enough to break the Bloods, who are due to hit a flat spot after winning more quarters of footy (6) than any side this year.
The Bloods will miss Dyson Stevens, Ben Archard, Matty Denham and Lachie Watkins, while Kevin Klix remains doubtful.
On the flip side, the 'Burras bat deep and it will be difficult to contain forward with their taller timber. You would think a depleted Bloods midfield will have to find something pretty special to overcome their opposition on Saturday, who have two top-ten 2019 Henderson Medal placings in their armoury, in Luke Kiel and Lachlan Cassidy. You can add like-for-like newcomer replacement Jack Richards (ruck) into the mix for Toby Thoolen.
The 'Burra broke the drought of seven straight losses against East Point in Round One and even with the Round Two bye could be excused for savouring that for a few hours longer than usual, but they should be cherry ripe, no excuses.
The Bloods will test, that I’m sure of, with Braedan Kight and the Carter brothers forward, but it will take another monumental effort, despite being at home, on top and undefeated. Hats off to Aaron Tymms if they get the job done.
Head-to-Head last 5 meetings: Redan 4 - Ballarat 1
These two teams boast a mirror image blend of lively youth and experience and, if weather permits, we can expect another tight game of BFNL football.
While both are square on the ledger at 1-1 from their opening two rounds, they could easily have been 2-0. Lions young gun and opportunistic forward Izaac Grant has made a seamless transition into senior footy at this level and is expected to be a handful yet again on the weekend, alongside seasoned campaigner Dean Chester who continues to impact games.
The Swans will also be aware of the encouraging form of the Lions’ two Coopers, namely Craig-Peters and Atchison. If those two weren't enough to worry about, Orren Stephenson (doubtful) and star mid Lachie George could return to add class and physicality.
On the Swans list and also enjoying some good form of their own, Nick Weightman and Daniel Kennedy have featured among the best in their opening fortnight, while stoppage specialists Sam James (captain) and Lachie Dawson have been impressive.
The wider competition eagerly awaits the debut of Swans marquee signing Josh Gibson and what impact he will have on the club's fortunes, while it's only a matter of time before Andrew Hooper has a day out in front of goal.
Again, I don't expect much to separate these two on the scoreboard come the final siren – Saturday’s result could well be decided by those shuffling the magnets. It's that close.
Head-to-Head last 5 meetings: Lakers 2 - North Ballarat 3
Brendan McCartney's unbeaten North Ballarat will look to go 3-0 when they meet Lake Wendouree. For some, City has been the surprise packets just two rounds in, but for others, their improvement, albeit over a small sample size, has been expected.
Similar to Ballarat and Redan, City comes with a blend of youth and experience that's proving a winning formula. The former Western Bulldogs coach is not getting too far ahead of the situation and believes there is further improvement in City who have had 'wobbly' moments late in their two openers.
City would not want Saturday’s game to be a low scoring grind, this would play into the hands of the Lakers, who are known for being up for the fight.
Last week in their season opener off the bye, the Lakers stunned a more fancied East Point to lead at the main break. Unfortunately for Dale Power and his men, they were unable to maintain any scoreboard pressure after half-time, managing just two goals while conceding twelve in the process.
Nonetheless, there'll be certain positives for the Lakers to take from their first hit-out to challenge City. Boom recruit Nick Rippon is one of them and should be primed with a run under his belt.
They'll have their moments, Lake Wendouree, but whether they will have it on their terms for long enough is the question.
