While we're just four rounds in, it's fair to say we can look at the BFNL ladder and acknowledge this weekend's encounter to be every bit a top of the table clash. It's hard to assess/compare the form lines heading in given the Swans' only loss came in round one on the road to Bacchus Marsh and the Bloods remain undefeated.

But who have the Bloods beaten? Well, everyone in the 'East'. Melton South 10th, Sunbury 11th, Bacchus Marsh 6th and Darley 5th. I'm pretty sure the Bloods' greatest challenges await them in the 'West' and especially on the road. This will be a true test for the Bloods, up against a Swans outfit who have proven they can come from behind if they have to (trailed North Ballarat 16, Redan 15 last two weeks).

It's not an ideal pattern for Joe Carmody's men but the belief among their group must be sky high (trailed halftime 3 out 4 games, 2022). So, I'm expecting Aaron Tymms' Melton will have had a close look at the Swans and identified a chink in their armour. The Swans spread well, have leg speed, their defenders are accountable, good size, mobile, and their mids, dangerous.

Ironically, the similarities with the Bloods are palpable. Powling will be an obvious loss in the ruck for the Swans. It's hard to tip a winner here - the Bloods in their 4th or 5th year on the up vs the Swans in just their second. That may prove to be enough in this justly touted Match of the Round. 

Darley host Sunbury in a must-win game for the visitors as they aim for a correction on a disappointing loss to Melton South a week ago.

The Lions 'keepings off' style will endeavour to wear down the Devils, similar to what we saw last year when the two sides met.

Midfielder Daniel Toman must have had 50 possessions and Tyson Lever 40 off halfback. But how the young Devils go about denying the Lions their high possession game on their terms, will make for an interesting watch. Leigh Brennan (10 goals) and Blake Graham (7 goals) will hope to continue on their returns on the goal front, to give the Lions every chance to post a winning score. 

On the flip side, the Devils' chances of winning have been hampered by the loss of key defender Matthew Brett (knee) and talented Footscray VFL listed player Bailey Young (concussion). Again, the reliance and impact of Brett Bewley and Nick Rodda will be magnified as the Devils strive for their first home win of the season.

On the surface, it's not a be-all, end-all result for Dan Jordan's men today, but rather another piece added to the puzzle of a much longer journey the club has bought into. Wins will no doubt be celebrated, and lessons learned from loss.

Today will be no exception. The Devils' young back six will be tested again today in the absence of Brett. Can they stand up is the question? A chop out in the midfield from the wingers will only help their cause. 

The travelling Cobras have had 14 days to plan their 'highway' trip to face Redan and should be confident, based on last year's meeting alone. The Cobras dominated the Lions then, keeping the home side to just two goals.

Daniel Burton, Nick Stuhldrier and Tom German lead a challenging midfield group while Captain Jake Owen, Aaron Willetts and Rex Hickman have proven a capable combo already in '22, with wins over Ballarat and Darley.

Add newcomer defenders Jack Williams and Jason Robinson into the mix, and the visitors have to be in with a genuine chance. Put In a nutshell, just getting the ball to Owen forward looms as the obvious plan bearing the greatest upside for the Cobras.

Redan's fortunes start in the middle with Lachie George and Cooper Craig-Peters at the feet of in-form ruckman Nathan Dunstan. Declan Phillips adds further size at the coalface while the outside run of the Atchison boys has been encouraging. Isaac Grant (didn't play last meet '21), Grant Bell, Lachie McLean and newcomer Jacob Werts are providing options forward to varying degrees.

The best of Redan is very good so denying the Lions' momentum that begins at the centre bounce, will be paramount for the Cobras who will be well up for a scrappy arm-wrestle, especially around stoppage.

That type of game will suit the Cobras, reminiscent of their opening three rounds against Ballarat, Darley, and Melton. I guess it's which Redan turns up, given their home ground advantage will have a huge say in determining the result.

I was prepared to preface a change in the narrative around an injury-ravaged 'Burra and temper their chances moving forward. But that will have to be put on hold for another week after the 'Burra recorded the highest score (87) of the round, including most shots on goal (27) while conceding the lowest score (39) and the fewest amount of scoring shots (9) in the process.

Credit must go to coach Michael Searl and the belief he has in the group, matched only by the buy-in counter-response from the players. "Beware the wounded animal" was a text response made by a high profile BFNL person on hearing the unfortunate injury scenario facing the 'Burra. Got that right!

But a well-drilled, organised North Ballarat, is a completely different prospect to Jack Fitzpatrick's young Lakers. The 'Burra clearly in the infancy of a rebuild type scenario - a learning phase of sorts given the age profile of the list. Brendan McCartney's men were feverish last week and hunted the ball more like the Minor Premiers of 2021 following a hiccup loss to Ballarat in round three.

Unfortunately for the 'Burra, meeting North Ballarat is rarely convenient - untimely at best. But what the new look 'Burra will get this week in front of their home crowd is an opportunity to back up their spirited winning performance against one of the yardsticks of the competition. That's all the 'Burra faithful can ask for.

The Panthers, fresh off a confidence-building win on the road against Sunbury return home for a meeting with x-factor outfit that is East Point. Who could forget Joel Ottavi's 17 goal haul at the corresponding fixture last year that attracted headlines across the entire AFL landscape.

Melton South coach Heath Pritchard will breathe a little easier ahead of the match knowing Ottavi is no longer with the Kangas. This looms a real 'throw at the stumps' game, a chance to measure their improvement over the last fortnight against one of the proven heavyweights of the competition.

While it's expected the Panthers will be minus a few soldiers off their best 22, a repeat of last week's pressure that unravelled the Sunbury Lions would be high on Pritchard's wishlist. Ruckman Dylan Jones is playing some good footy and the support crew at ground level have been the welcoming beneficiaries.

Curbing the Kangas star-powered midfield is the unenviable task of any opposition coach. The Johnston brothers, Joe Dodd, Mickitja Rotumah-Onus will be familiar eyesores for the Panthers midfield, let alone newcomer Thomas Brown and the likely return of marquee signings Jackson Merrett and James Frawley.

Seeing Clay Bilney back amongst the action is a major boost for Kangas fans eager to improve on their 1-2 start to the season. Just how long the Panthers withstand the offence of the Kangas is an unknown. At least the scoreboard updates will tell us part of the story.