The Cobras will aim to keep their finals hopes alive when they host the Kangas at Maddingley Park.

It feels like such a longtime ago when the two sides last met in Good Friday’s standalone fixture at Eastern Oval.

The Cobras were simply superb that day, resembling every bit of a final’s contender moving forward.

If coach Dennis Armfield can orchestrate any copy/paste version from his players, the Kangas, it’s fair to say, are in trouble.

Unfortunately for the visitors Joe Dodd (dislocated knee), and Thomas Brown (broken wrist) will miss for while Joseph McGuane (cork) is also in doubt for the Kangas’ belated finals tilt.

Yes, a win for the Kangas will keep their slim finals chances alive. A loss however, while not the end of the world, will shut the door on any aspirations post the home and away season ending on August 22nd.

Plenty will need to go right for the travelling Kangas under stand-in coach Tommy Molan who arrives with back-to-back wins since taking over the reins. The reality is, the Kangas have just the one win away from home all season (Lakers).

The Cobras are 4-0 against teams currently below them and have trump card Jake Owen back and firing after a lengthy lay off with a hamstring tear. The key forward played a starring role last week with a five goals return.

Armfield’s quiver rank higher in all quarters in isolation bar the second. The Kangas are ninth for first and third terms, and marginally better for quarters two and four, ranking eighth.

While there is mutual frustrations on the injury front, I expect the Cobras to rise to the challenge of their most important game of the season to date in front of home fans - a pulse in the finals race depends on it.

And who would’ve thought the Cobras will be cheering home crosstown rivals Darley to help their cause.

The best scenario for Bacchus Marsh is if they and the Devils win. The Cobras would move into the top six, a game clear of the Bloods, with two rounds to play.

Plenty going on, keep your BFNL match centre close with update scores across the competition available at your fingertips.

Scoop’s tip: Bacchus Marsh

Buckle up for a highly anticipated showdown between two archrivals when the Devils host The Bloods at Darley Park.

Underestimate the importance of this game at your peril as the outcome looms (potentially) season defining.

The Devils are staking a claim for an all-important top three finish while the Bloods cling to sixth with the Cobras, and the Kangas to lesser degrees, on their hammer.

There is no room for complacency for either side with a tough run home on the horizon.

Saturday will provide the answers to so many questions surrounding the BFNL Match of the Round in the ‘East’ (LIVE action and FULL commentary from 2pm via bfnl.com.au).

Can the Devils overcome their bogie side Melton who have won five of their last six meets?

Will the Bloods get the green light to include Billy Crofts (Footscray VFL) and key forward Ryan Carter?

How much improvement can we expect from Devils star duo Brett Bewley and Billy Myers second up off significant injuries?

Can the Bloods end their current three game losing streak to keep their season alive? - note the Devils are 17-1 at home since the 2024 semifinals!

Who will get the job on Bloods’ x-factor forward Braedan Kight who has multiple goal returns from his last nine games?

Can Devils danger man Will Johnson get an afternoon on his own terms or will it be the brilliance of speedster Nick Hind who proves difference?

The Bloods’ proven defence will have a say in that.

While there is a host of intrigue simmering in the lead-up, we’re more often drawn to one battle having the greatest impact - the midfield.

Can the honest two-way running ability, pressure and speed of the Bloods upstage the star power of the Devils when it matters most?

The Saturday afternoon stage at Darley Park is all set for an enthralling reveal, as fans are left with little choice than to speculate the ifs, what’s and maybes.

One notion we can trust however, is both sides are all-in.

Don’t miss any of the on-field action or the strategy unfolding off it as premiership coaches Dan Jordan (2023, 2025) and Troy Scoble (2024) seek consolidation as an exciting new dawn awaits the winner.

Scoop’s tip: Darley

Lions’ coach Matty White will be sweating on the availability of his VFL affiliated quartet to give his Pride every chance of turning the tables on the Roosters from their previous meet when they go head-to-head at Clarke Oval.

Jake Egan (Essendon VFL), Jake Sutton (Sydney VFL - highly unlikely) and Coburg listed pair Daniel Johnston (highly unlikely) and Jordyn Gillard hold the keys bettering the Lions’ chances against a North Ballarat outfit on a five-game winning streak.

The Roosters are expected to have an unchanged line-up from the 22 disciplined soldiers who (virtually) strangled the Bloods last week enroute to a hard fought, yet comfortable 17-point win.

This matchup has the potential going down to the wire on recent form, but can the Lions withstand the relentless pressure of the Roosters and deliver the goods - not only physically but on the scoreboard?

Tough ask, considering Clint Proctor’s group are the number one ranked team defence in the competition for average points conceded per game.

Sunbury have hit their straps, unbeaten in their last three games including a win over ladder leaders Sebastopol last week in a three-point thriller at Marty Busch Reserve.

Yes, Egan was superhuman with his match winning, seven goal haul (eight behinds) but any expectations for a repeat performance, if indeed available, is reserved for the ambitious.

The big ground should favour the Lions, a chance to breathe and make better decisions against an elite pressure pack who love to outnumber at the source.

Recent history at the venue supports the possibility of the Lions causing another upset considering the Roosters have not won at the Clarke Oval since 2021.

Proctors’ inaugural visit last year ended in a 48-point loss. Egan (3 goals), Sutton (2) and Johnston (2) combined for half of the Lions’ score, aiding the separation.

For the record, just 12 Roosters from last year’s defeat will take their place - Sunbury, up to 17.

Season 2026 has proven every team is gettable - this clash could be another reminder of the Roosters mortality on foreign soil.

Rolling with an upset in this one, with Sunbury to execute well enough, and for long enough at home, to edge out the more fancied Roosters in a relatively low scoring affair.

Scoop’s tip: Sunbury

You have to have some empathy for the Lakers ahead of Saturday as they prepare for an away trip against the Burra who will be keen to bounce back from a narrow loss to Sunbury.

The upset defeat saw Sebastopol joined at the top of the table, percentage ahead of North Ballarat, an area Burra’s coach Tony Lockyer will be looking for a major boost this week.

Sebastopol key forward Joel Edwards and half back Jack Buckley (not seen since Round 11) will return while Luke Kiel will miss for a third straight week.

Just how the Lakers go about denying the Burra a score north of 150 (weather permitting) will be a challenge for interim coach Jake Lohmann.

Expect Will Clark, Corey Rich, Lewis Antonac and Alfred Jarnestrom to provide much of the resistance for the visitors alongside the recent form of Archie Todd and promoted youngster Aiden Wiltsher who booted four goals against the Devils last week.

Unfortunately, injuries have crippled the Lakers’ chances breaking their winning drought that sits at 33 games. Their average losing margin this year after 15 games is 87.8 points, up one goal on last year (81.7).

Lohmann will challenge his boys in the areas they can control, in particular effort. If the Lakers can deliver that until they have nothing more to give, the coach will sleep well.

It’s been difficult for any team containing the Burra this season, their ability to extract scores from a dangerous midfield has played a major role in their renaissance.

Again, Toby Hutt (16 goals), Jack Bambury (18), Felix Henderson (13), Lachlan Cassidy (8 from 10 games) will challenge the two-way running ability of the Lakers and will endeavour to hit the scoreboard.

Of the Burra’s five wins from six games at home their average winning margin hovers around 50 points on average. Expect that average to be extended come 5pm Saturday night.

In reality, the Lakers will eye winning a quarter and bettering their season average score of 44.

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol

Expect the Swans to rebound quickly off a surprise loss for many against East Point last week by taking care of Redan at Alfredton Oval.

There’s simply too much at stake for the bevy as they eye a return inside the top three.

Unfortunately, four doesn’t go into three meaning one of the Swans, Sebastopol, North Ballarat or Darley miss out. And who wants to be playing a Sunbury outfit on the rise in a potential fourth v fifth elimination final?

Swans’ coach Ash Baker will have to play the waiting game learning the availability of VFL pair Tristan Maple (Footscray) and Thomas Simpson (Werribee).

Some good news however given the absence of up to nine frontliners last week, the Swans welcome back Luke Dunstan, Lewis Rinaldi and Tom Mooney.

Redan’s slim finals aspirations were put to bed last week, sent packing by the Cobras at City Oval.

Saturday’s assignment won’t be any easier.

Unfortunately core trio Nick Barker, Oliver Pittard and Lachie McLean have been ruled out already for the Swans clash raising the degrees of difficulty.

Clearly the Lions struggled without their two key midfielders Rory Gunsser (Geelong VFL) and Jake Connolly (Rebels) and it’s unlikely they will be released.

Gun Swans Fraser Perkins and Brad Crouch can prepare for a potential day out if the bevy can get their running game going.

Underrated recruit Patrick Graham will go head-to-head with Lions duo Taj Bond and Will Madden in and enthralling contest in the ruck.

Centre clearance and stoppage numbers make for a compelling read in the aftermath - whether it validates the result we shall wait and see.

Speaking of wait and see - looking forward to Biggie returning from his European vacation and assuming his role forward as the once tear way leader in the Tony Lockett Medal race.

Given the absence of experienced x-factor forward Andrew Hooper (inj), the value of Biggie to Baker’s outgoing flag mission is rated among the top few for any club eyeing the prize.

Given the predominate age profile of Redan, they will hold no fear of the Swans, rather embrace the challenge of another opportunity to grow.

Winning for the Lions is not paramount on Saturday - nor expected.

However, we’ve seen what momentum can do in games, it can turn a game quickly.

If Marc Greig’s Pride can start well against the nervous starting Swans who knows, maybe another upset on the cards?

The learnings from last week will prove enough for the compliant Swans to correct back on track, reinstating their reputation as genuine, well fancied flag contenders.

Scoop’s tip: Ballarat