Bacchus Marsh needs little motivation getting up for this home clash against ladder leaders Sebastopol.

Dennis Armfield’s quiver are well and truly in the race for a finals berth but will start long odds causing one of the upsets of the season.

So, with little external expectations on the Cobras and percentage of little or no consequence why not throw everything at the Burra.

Armfield will expect effort, that’s a non-negotiable and with the potential inclusions of Josh Huxtable and Zach Dali that should help them to at least match with the Burra for periods between the arcs.

Jake Owen and Joel Freeman will provide the aerial presence forward, enough to worry Tony Lockyer’s defence in a solid hit out for the visitors ahead of a deep finals campaign.

The ruck duel between Luke Goetz and Toby Hutt will be worth the entry ticket alone as first use out of the middle is likely to play a role reflective on the scoreboard.

Lockyer won’t be taking this game lightly nor will Armfield be treating this as a ‘throw at the stumps’.

An upset win for the Cobras would see them firm into narrow favourites qualifying for finals given Melton have the Burra in Round 18 and Lockyer will not want to head into the post season having lost three of their last four games.

The Cobras are a long shot but will test the waters of the Burra to use the penultimate round of the season to assert their reign of dominance that has equated to just three losses.

The Burra should win comfortably but not without a fight from the never-say-die Cobras.

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol

The oh-so-close giant killers Redan head to MacPherson Park to attempt a 2-0 clean sweep over Melton in 2026.

Near misses have been the theme of the Lions over the last two months and will challenge the Bloods to reproduce their best after their ‘season alive’ morale boosting win over Darley.

Troy Scoble’s group will have their fingers crossed on the availability of Billy Crofts (Footscray VFL) and Ryan Carter (work) ahead of the clash and could well include Harry Hanley and Max Scoble given the stakes despite the pair having just returned from overseas.

A loss for the Bloods would put their finals intentions in jeopardy as Bacchus Marsh endeavour to pinch a late spot in the six.

Scoble won’t be taking anything for granted given the Lions are likely to recall Harry Lawson, Will Madden and Nick Barker for the road assignment.

Plenty to play out here, both sides will be confident however there is sure to be an under belly of nervousness in the Bloods camp given a loss may well prove their undoing and a premature exit from the 2026 premiership race.

Scoop’s tip: Melton

Interim Lake Wendouree coach Jake Lohmann gets his first crack in a dual role as he prepares for his long-awaited playing return against North Ballarat at Mars Stadium.

While expectations on the Lakers are low, it’s one piece of good news they can look forward to in an otherwise challenging season.

Roosters’ coach Clint Proctor will use Saturday as an opportunity to fine tune ahead of a Round 18 rematch with Darley.

It was Round 18 last year that saw the Roosters all-in against the Devils aiming to pinch a finals berth in arguably the game of the year as a host of VFL affiliated talent took their place.

Fortunately for the Roosters having already qualified, the landscape has changed.

X-factor forward Jamie Quick and utility Tom Bromley-Lynch (both managed) will miss the clash but the Roosters welcome the return of ruckman Dave Brinker-Ritchie (North Melbourne VFL) for just his sixth game of the season having missed a bulk of the season with injury and VFL selection.

Isaac Lovisson and Simon McCartin have timed their return from injury (while not planned) to perfection and are also in the mix for a call up.

It’s hard seeing the Lakers surpassing their season average of 43 points despite the inclusion of Lohmann (ex-Werribee VFL) as the likes of he, Alfred Jarnestrom (40 disposals last week), Corey Rich and co providing much of the resistance.

It’s all about getting through unscathed for North Ballarat on Saturday as they prepare for a finals tilt with the tag of arguably the best team defence in the competition pinned to their chest.

For the record - the Roosters have conceded a miserly 45 points on average from their last six home games.

Scoop’s tip: North Ballarat

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Star forward Biggie Nyuon returns for Ballarat when they host Darley at Alfredton Oval this Saturday.

The stakes are high as both clubs eye an all-important top three finish.

The Devils are essentially ‘all-in’ on the road with the likely inclusions of Joel Cadman, Adam Azzopardi and Mitch Gardiner who all missed last week’s fade out loss to Melton.

Darley are running out of chances consolidating a top three spot with two must win games ahead.

Unfortunately, the Swans will be without Andrew Hooper, Luke Gray, Riley Constable, Wyatt Squires while the availability of VFL pair Tristan Maple and Thomas Simpson is unlikely given their recent form at the higher level.

Some positive news for the Swan’s camp, Biggie’s return aside, is Rhys Perry, who will be considered for a recall after a lengthy lay off with injury.

Darley will embrace the hunters tag having been the hunted for so long, asking questions of the Swans to resemble something close to their best to earn the points and a prized spot in the top three.

Scoop’s tip: Darley

Despite the reality of this match being considered a dead rubber in the context of their respective seasons, good luck convincing either camp!

The Kangas will want to claim another scalp on the way out under stand-in coach Tommy Molan, further validating their rebuild while Sunbury remain a work in progress, peaking at the right time!

The ‘reality’ refers to the fact the Kangas cannot play finals while the Lions can only miss if they drop both games (East Point, Ballarat) and Melton and Bacchus Marsh win their last two.

You would think Murphy’s law is all that stands in the way of Matty White’s Pride missing out!

The Lions should get the job done if they’re going to be any threat come finals even without their number one ‘striker’ Jake Sutton, who returns to Sydney VFL duties.

The Kangas lose Alex Molan to another hamstring complaint, a chronic issue for the skilful talent in isolation.

Let’s hope the condition of Eastern Oval is susceptible to a free running, high scoring affair that these two have enjoyed over previous seasons at the venue,

Looking forward to the midfield battle, as the more experienced combatants go about their afternoon territory battle.

Curious to find out the main avenue to goal given Sutton booted four of their seven last week at home.

While Jarrod Joyce looms the likely threat forward for the hosts they do have some alternatives in the names of Jack Jeffrey, Jacob Brown and potentially Sam Lucas who had been swung forward on occasions despite being recruited as a defender.

Expect Sunbury to struggle at times throughout the match given the Kangas liking to play their best footy at home but Matty White will do enough with the messaging and the magnets to drag his boys over the line.

Scoop’s tip: Sunbury