There is plenty at stake for these two rivals when they meet for a ninth consecutive Anzac Day blockbuster. The Devils lead the head-to-head 5-3 but it accounts for very little ahead of this weekend as both clubs eye a perfect 2-0 start their BFNL season.

And the reality is, both should be confident about getting it done. While it was the Cobras who embarrassed Darley last year to their lowest score of the season, new Devils Coach Dan Jordan brings a clean slate, a fresh pair of eyes and a tweak to a progressive list that remain grounded despite their win over Sebastopol in Round One.

For Jordan, it's all about keeping a lid on it - and for Cobras coach Tom German, finding a way to guide his side into the final tier, up from seventh essentially.

Star ruckman Daniel Burton is often best for the Cobras in these matches, win, lose or draw - how the Devils contain or minimise the influence of the five-time Best and Fairest will be worth the entry ticket alone.

Avoiding intercept defenders Jason Robinson and Jack Williams (19 marks combined in Round 1), and Captain Jake Owen's (13 marks, 7 contested in Round 1) impact on the scoreboard can only help the Devils’ chances.

Easier said than done. For the Cobras, deny impact of former Fremantle Docker Brett Bewley and key forward Nick Rodda any you're well on your way.

While it's an obvious tick for the top end of both sides, today's game could come down to a few of the lesser knowns getting off the hook - and outside of finals, there's no bigger stage!

The Panthers in Ballarat is always a worry, their record speaks for itself: zero wins from 14 games involving 'highway travel' since 2018.

It is difficult mounting a case for Heath Pritchard's men until there is a change in pattern - and when that day occurs I'll be the first to congratulate and the first to concede getting it wrong.

The Panthers’ best is good, we've seen that, just not in the 3350 post code. Melton South have weapons, Dylan Conway is a star, while Billy Lloyd, Ben Casley and Dylan Jones are former VFL players and are more than capable impacting this young group.

The visitors’ unlikely chances aside, the Ballarat Swans will have their own agenda and KPI's to rectify this round after a disappointing loss to Bacchus Marsh in Round One.

A rusty, shaky, pressured, and at times one way running midfield are variables that spring to mind. Swans coach Joe Carmody returns to the helm and will witness first-hand the response from his players.

Swans supporters will hope it's emphatic on the scoreboard.

A four-quarter performance is probably too much to ask of any side at the moment, but a correction on their ball use and decision making would be encouraging for Carmody ahead of their Round Three 'footy audit' clash with North Ballarat.

Look for Swans newcomer Aiden Domic to have benefitted from the run in just his second game in the red and white.

Just when you thought there were no easy games in the McDonald’s Ballarat FNL this year, East Point enter the fray after the bye in Round One to reinforce the theory.

While the 'Burra did enjoy success last year in the 2019 Grand Final replay against the Kangas, their form heading into this match has been patchy at best. 'Burra fans might even be happy to get away from Marty Busch for a week for a freshen up.

Since the completion of the club’s renovations they have won just two of their last seven games at home (including pre-season matches) and this week they will revisit Eastern Oval, the scene of their triumph over the Kangas last year.

Injuries have stalled the 'Burras momentum, albeit from a small sample size, and they will need to start well to avoid another blow to a vulnerable level of confidence.

East Point, on the other hand, will hope to exploit their opponents and should be ready to hit the ground running after wins in the pre-season over the Top Two sides in the Bendigo league despite the six-quarter nature of the hit-outs.

Boom Kangas recruit Jackson Merrett is sure to attract the attention of 'Burra Coach Michael Searle in his preparation, while Kangas fans look for an immediate impact given the outgoings of Jack Ganley and Jake McQueen.

Kangas Coach Jake Bridges rarely gives much away and is "grateful just to be playing". I bet after the bye in Round One, Bridges is raring to go and will have done his homework.

Both sides are renowned for their strength forward of centre. I guess it will be which 'less talked about' defence can stand up and deny their more fancied opponents that will have the greatest say in determining the result.

Ex-Melbourne and Hawthorn player, now Lakers coach, Jack Fitzpatrick faces former mentor Brendan McCartney when their respective sides meet on the back of Round One victories.

To say Fitzpatrick would be happy with a repeat of the Lakers scoreline over North Ballarat from last season would be an understatement, but I'm sure he would be looking forward to seeing how his young group goes about it against the yardstick of the competition.

If they're to get it done it, will be without Nick Rippon, Ash Simpson (achilles), Kai Lohmann (Brisbane AFL), Jake Lohman (Maryborough), Sam Butler (Hawthorn AFL), Josh Rensch (Sturt) and speedster Scott Blake - all of whom were prominent in inflicting McCartney's only loss of the 2021 season.

The Lakers’ buy-in last week against Redan was palpable, they're an even bunch who move the footy well and were accountable without the footy, led by midfielder Jake Coxall who starred with 32 possessions and four goals.

Where do you start containing North Ballarat?

Avenues to goal are plenty - Thomas Hotchin, Sam Artz and James Quick lead an unselfish front six who don't care who’s hitting the scoreboard. Given North Ballarat were denied a legitimate crack at a full season premiership, surely Macca’s mission remains incomplete.

In the meantime, you can guarantee that claiming a win over the Lakers sits atop of the Roosters agenda and won't be taken for granted.

While Sunbury haven't won at MacPherson Park since 2017, they shouldn't hold grave fears for their prospects at the venue given it's essentially 0-2 for the period.

If the Lions were to be unsuccessful it will be opposition based, above all else. The Bloods are predicted to be the real deal.

If they weren't already, their prospects have been bolstered with the signing (last week) of Daniel O'Leary (Altona B&F winner), an inside mid who has been compared like-for-like with Matty Denham.

The Lions went with North Ballarat on the road last week for the best part of three quarters, their uncontested, keepings off style of footy denied McCartney's Roosters the game on their own terms for lengthy periods.

Daniel Toman is an elite runner, had 50 possessions (44 uncontested) last week, Tyson Lever 44 possessions (40 uncontested) to highlight the chip-chip distribution out of defence that more often ended up in Toman's hands - reward for effort running.

That would have driven McCartney mad, but Tymms will have seen the footage and will make his own judgements.

While I anticipate a low scoring game (10-11 goal winning score), Melton hold the aces forward of centre to get it done.

Sunbury, the month of May beckons promise. So, for now, no need for panic even if they go 0-2 in 2022.