Expect an invigorated Cobras outfit to relish the opportunity in front of home fans for the first time this season when they host the Roosters at Maddingley Park.

Dennis Armfield’s men are 2-0 having secured back-to-back wins on the road against two of last year’s finalists.

A six-month off-season can be a long time in local footy but the Cobras have started with a faultless campaign aided by the addition of no less than six players, four of whom are familiar returns while the acquisition of Zach Vesty (Hoppers Crossing) and Hugh Canning (Corowa) has only strengthened the Cobras’ version of their best 22.

Given injured pair Jamie Fulton (shoulder) and Jack Kovacevic (hand) remain sidelined short term, the future looks bright at Cobra land.

Not dissimilar to last year, the Roosters, under second year coach Clint Proctor have already endured all too familiar frustration with the unavailability of highly touted recruit David Brinker- Richie (knee soreness) who is expected to miss another week, and more importantly the critical match up with dominant Cobras ruckman Luke Goetz.

Nonetheless the Cobras cannot afford to underestimate the spine of the Roosters who arrive with the star power of Sam Glover, Josh Morris, Denver Grainger-Barrass and progressive talent Jai Lockett, all of whom have had an impact at VFL level.

Young 200cm tall Finn Russell and speedster Reggie Palmer are in the mix for a call up after the Roosters fell short in their season opener against Ballarat.

While spoilt for top end talent the Roosters will need to improve on last week to curb the Cobras impressive run and connection.

Armfield’s group are as fit as they’ve ever been under the former Carlton 145 gamer.

The point differential for the Cobras in second halves (111-49) and 8-0 record for second half quarters suggests the Roosters will need to bring their skates to deny the hosts a third win on the trot.

While Proctor’s Roosters failed in their two previous attempts in 2025 to down the Cobras, they do have the cattle both aerially and at ground level to upset the pattern.

Belief is an undervalued commodity; one the Cobras are embracing with aplomb early into the new season.

Over to the Roosters to find a way to curtail that growing momentum with some lasting impressions of their own.

Compliance to Proctor’s instructions is a non-negotiable if the visitors are any chance squaring their win loss ledger.

While Cobra fans need only wish for more of the same, to witness firsthand a 3-0 start would be all the more special.

Scoop’s tip: Bacchus Marsh by 12 points

The Swans host Sebastopol in the only game across the Round 2 senior football fixture involving two winners from the opening round.

While Sebastopol enjoyed a convincing win at their last visit to the nest, this assignment presents a different set of challengers for Tony Lockyer’s men.

A trio of experienced, 200cm trumpeter Swans will pose an afternoon long threat for the visitors to contain.

Alex Keith, Biggie Nyuon and Patrick Graham will have a large say in the Swans’ fortunes.

Given Keith’s intercept role across half back, compliance to Lockyer’s game plan will be a non-negotiable if the Burra are to find a way around the former Adelaide and Western Bulldog’s defender.

The Burra’s midfield can expect an early audit on their footy smarts given Biggie and Graham have the height advantage and athleticism to control the aerial contest.

Denying a formidable Swans midfield that is likely to include Tristan Maple, Thomas Simpson, Lewis Rinaldi and Fraser Perkins will test the Burra’s brains trust.

Any first use advantage out of stoppage will be significant for these two evenly matched teams at the source.

Unfortunately, recent Burra club best and fairest winners Lachie Cassidy and Bailey Medwell who play key midfield roles, are expected to miss another week.

In this case, it’s advantage Ballarat.

Swans’ second year coach Ash Baker has been busy with the enviable task of shifting the magnets with the freedom to find the right balance given all player types essentially are at his disposal.

On the flipside, if the Swans can be found out early despite the luxuries of the 200cm trio, finding the right balance becomes an ongoing challenge.

While the Swans take another step finding the best version of themselves, the Burra are not dissimilar despite a couple of key figures on the sidelines.

The addition of GFL trio Jack Buckley, Felix Henderson and Joel Edwards is significant - each played an encouraging role in the Burra’s first up win over East Point.

Lockyer will hope for further improvement, a must you would think if the Burra are to secure the premiership points.

Baker on the other hand, would be the first to concede his bevy were ‘ordinary’ at their previous meet against the Burra but pose a completely different proposition in the here and now.

Yes, plenty has gone under the bridge since their last meet and with more games together, expect the Swans to resemble a force to be reckoned with.

No Cassidy or Medwell for the Burra moves the needle in favour of the Swans for one the picks of the round in BFNL action.

Scoop’s tip: Ballarat by 10 points

New season Redan coach Marc Greig gets a ‘throw at the stumps’ opportunity to upset league heavyweights Sunbury when they host the Lions of the East at City Oval.

Redan’s relocation for the interim, comes on the back of renovations now in full swing at City Oval.

Greig’s eclectic group surprised a few with the nature of their 92-point demolition job over the Lakers in Round 1 booting ‘the sweep’ (highest score), some 12 goals more than any other club across the BFNL.

That stat alone will have drawn interest from Sunbury coach Matty White following their agonising two-point loss to Darley in the much-anticipated Grand Final replay.

Sunbury haven’t always had their way on the win/loss front up the highway but their four home and away season wins from six trips last year suggests the mental demons have subsided on the back of instilled belief and collective buy-in.

Under White, Sunbury are the genuine real deal having won seven of their last 10 BFNL games.

Only Darley has beaten them (three times) over the period.

White would be the first to concede some, if not all of his boys were sore after their first up outing given the physicality of the affair.

Redan’s case may well be different following their big win, with the occasion running a majority of the group into some early season form.

If Greig’s Lions can hit the ground running and give Whitey’s Pride something to chase, this matchup could get interesting.

The Bond boys will stretch the Sunbury defence ONLY IF the Redan midfield can have their way against a deep Sunbury core led by reigning Henderson Medallist Jake Egan and more experienced Josh Guthrie.

Sunbury’s midfield will want to make their presence felt early providing some ‘good looks’ of their own for key targets Daniel Johnston and Phil Scanlon.

Sure, their mid-forward connection remains a work in progress when Jake Sutton doesn’t play but you can’t discount their ability to score.

Redan must deny Sunbury at the source and win the “ground ball” battle to be any chance of an upset win but on the small sample size alone, who knows what they’re capable of.

Fond memories should aid a favourable result for Whitey’s Pride but they will be made to earn it if Greig’s Lions can build on their Round 1 heroics.

Scoop’s tip: Sunbury by 30 points

Having overcome a major scare in the season opener, the Devils’ next assignment against the Kangas should be a little more comfortable despite the road trip to Eastern Oval.

The Kangas take another step forward in their rebuild against the competition’s benchmark and should embrace the challenge with plenty of learnings to be drawn from the hit out.

East Point coach Joe Carmody and his staff will have other priorities than the scoreboard given their slim chances of an upset were dealt a severe blow following the confirmation of a hamstring injury to Jacob Brown that is expected to sideline the star utility for a couple of weeks.

The midfield battle however will be relatively familiar to both camps with the core of Kangas’ experienced mids including Mickijta Rotumah-Onus, Joe Dodd and Liam Canny up against gun trio Brett Bewley, Nick Hind and Luther Baker.

Unfortunately (midfield aside) the inexperience of the Kangas is likely to surface at some time and reflect for periods on the scoreboard given up to eight of Carmody’s fledgling group have played less than 10 senior games.

Devils’ clutch defender Billy Myers will welcome the absence of Brown, paving the way for a more offensive role if coach Dan Jordan sees fit, raising the degrees of difficulty for Carmody to contain.

Not to mention the likely return of Mikey Edwards from an eye complaint suffered in the Devils’ 12-point practice match win over GFL club Leopold.

Weather permitting, expect the Devils to hit the scoreboard in waves despite the resistance of a predominantly young group, keen to make an impression.

While Kangas’ forward pair Jack Jeffrey and Jarrod Joyce will keep the frugal Devils defence honest, the visitors look to have too much firepower across the ground to be denied a 22nd BFNL win on the trot.

Scoop’s tip: Darley

After disappointing losses for both sides in the season opener, you can bank on some early heat when the Lakers host Melton at CE Brown Reserve.

Let’s be honest, the Lakers owe their fans more than what was dished up against Redan in Round 1, a 92-point thrashing.

Yes, the Lakers have lost their last 19 BFNL games but given the off-season additions, Rohan Brown’s boys fell well short on external and (surely) internal expectation.

While the Bloods assignment looms tougher again for the Lakers they should not fear Troy Scoble’s visiting party.

Why might you ask?

Since Round 6 last year the once invincible Bloods have lost to every team in the BFNL bar North Ballarat and the Lakers (draw v Ballarat).

The 2024 Premiers (18-1) have less than a 50%-win record from their last 14 home and away games (6.5/7.5) and need a spark albeit being just Round 2.

A trip to CE Brown Reserve is the last dress rehearsal for Scoble ahead of blockbuster meetings with Sunbury (A) and Darley (H).

The Bloods will look to exceed KPI numbers in a number of areas, none more so than goal conversion that has cost them some close ones in recent times.

Highly decorated x-factor forward and proud leader Braedan Kight returns to bolster the mission.

The 2024 Tony Lockett Medallist (3.1) and Sunbury sharpshooter Jake Sutton (3.6) are the only two players in the BFNL to average more than three goals per game from their last 50 outings.

While an historic win for the Lakers is highly unlikely, Brown will be demanding an immediate response from his boys so used to the underdogs tag.

Genuine top end quality has been added to the Lakers list capable of matching any side for periods.

Fingers crossed we bear witness to that and the Lakers Round 1 debacle is looked upon in hindsight as a forgiven run.

On the flipside, look for the Bloods to make a statement of their own.

Scoop’s tip: Melton