League heavyweights Melton and North Ballarat get their own genuine 'footy audit' this weekend - against each other. There's no denying the mutual respect in both camps, but from the outside, it's Melton who looks to have the edge. Aaron Tymms' Bloods are an even lot with no real superstars. They are death by a thousand cuts, a bit like Brendan McCartney's boys but the Bloods have proven the yardstick tag over the small sample size.

We found out last week what a different prospect the Roosters are without Thomas Hotchin and Jamie Quick darting around in the front half causing mayhem. Sam Glover and Josh Chatfield's availability is subject to VFL selection. No such headaches for the Bloods with only Billy Crofts at the VFL. But Melton has a few 'Crofts' types of their own - good two-way runners that carry the ball and take the game on.

The Bloods also have the Carter brothers key forward and x-factor sharpshooter Braedan Kight. All are a nightmare to contain, not to mention the midfield run of Jack Walker, Jacob Hickey, and Lachlan Watkins, with Kyle Borg on a wing and Jordyn Cotter off half-back. Their ability to go coast to coast out of defence has earned the praise of all five of their victims to date.

The match will be a test for Maccas boys, he'll be so looking forward to the challenge on the road. The Roosters on the rebound is not the ideal scenario for Tymmsy's Bloods either - he'll be all over keeping a lid on things. Wrapping up the brief, I'm happy with the 'footy audit' call - I doubt those at the helm would disagree.

Whatever the result tomorrow it will be a first for one of these clubs in season 2022. Redan will have won their first home game in three attempts on the bounce, or an improving Darley will snare back-to-back wins for the first time under new Coach Dan Jordan.

Lions Coach Jarrett Giampaolo will be hoping for a correction on last week's opening half that saw them trailing Bacchus Marsh by 32 points. Similarly, Darley by no means can hang their hat on their first-half returns, having trailed in four of their five games this year.     

The midfield battle sees former Williamstown duo Lachie George and Brett Bewley (both captains) go head-to-head with both having a significant impact for their respective clubs in '22. George's (nine goals in three games) contribution has included returns of multiple goals and can be a handful resting deep forward with his footy smarts against (often) lesser experienced defenders.

Bewley's damage will come between the arcs. While the Lions have just the one win (against Sebastopol) they do have options forward to get the job done. Lead up Lions forwards (along with George) Isaac Grant and Grant Bell loom as the Devils' greatest concerns, while Nick Rodda is the obvious hurdle for Giampaolo's men to contain. The numbers suggest a tight game.

Despite the exit of some seven or eight senior players in the offseason, the small sample size indicates Bacchus Marsh is a better team than last year. While they weren't world-beaters by any stretch, they've added some real quality. All of whom are having an impact validating the Cobras' 3-1 start to the season. Furthermore, with two wins on the road already, Tom German's Bacchus Marsh is an even tougher assignment at home.

Experienced defenders Jack Williams and Jason Robinson (AKA Batman and Robinson) are the new rebound force and will punish any Melton South forward entries executed without thought. Usual suspects German, Daniel Burton, Harry King alongside newcomers Michael Culliver and Max Eastmure, are sure to give the Cobras' offensive weaponry every chance to kick a winning score. Heath Pritchards Panthers are on the improve with spirits high despite a 39 point 'shoot-out' loss to league heavyweights East Point.

The perennial underdogs booted over 100 points against the Kangas and will back themselves in on the road to test the Cobras. Dylan Conway is a star - a bona fide match-winner - while the Panthers' midfield combo of Dylan Jones, Shaun Wyatt, Cody Chapman, and Jake Thornton-Gielen, will ensure the Cobras that this game won't be easy.

How the Panthers begin, and their effectiveness on the scoreboard in the opening half especially, is certain to carry weight on today's outcome. It should be a highly contested game - both sides will be up for a scrap.  

Tomorrow is D-Day for the winless Sunbury - they just have to get it done or face an 0-5 start and stall any thoughts for an ambitious finals campaign. While the Lions will be fully aware of what's at stake, Lakers coach Jack Fitzpatrick will be sensing a golden opportunity to take down the expected improvers while they're on their knees.

The Lions had arguably their best team last week but fell short of old rivals Darley. But they showed enough to suggest their win/loss ratio, will improve sooner rather than later. I think it's back to the fundamentals for Sunbury, get it in forward and give yourselves every option to score. Despite the weight of recent possession, they're not getting bang for their buck even though the ball is often in the right hands.

Travis Hodgson's boys face a young but speedy Lakers outfit and have the perfect opportunity to exploit the visitors on the wide expanses of Clarke Oval. Just who the Lions get back from injury and the availability of their VFL affiliates in Cooper Anderson, Jake Sutton and Mitch Lewis - all of whom featured last week, is another story.

Even though the Lions are 0-4, their best is good enough. Just get the elusive first win and be on your way, similar to 2021 when they started 1-4 before finishing sixth for 5-5. It all starts on Saturday and it's the Lakers who stand in their way fresh off the bye but their highway travel record (West/East) over recent times (2-9) is enough to brand the home side with the clear favourites tag.

Expect Ballarat to have up to 10 inclusions (from last week) for the showdown against East Point. The Swans' 95-point loss at home to ladder leaders Melton told its own story, albeit an unfortunate one due to injury and unavailability. It's difficult to fathom that a loss on the road for the Swans could equate to a fall outside of the top six.   

Early days, I know, but given their improvement, it speaks volumes of a very even BFNL competition. The Swans aside, Jake Bridges' East Point will be fully aware of the importance of tomorrow's game. A win will see them stay with the pack of five teams above them separated only by percentage. Look for Joe Carmody's Swans to put time into x-factor Kangas forward Jordy Johnston, buoyed with confidence after an eight-goal haul last week against Melton South. But the difficulty with channelling your 'chips in' against East Point is that it can allow someone else off the chain.

The impact of Matty Johnston, Joe Dodd, Jackson Merrett and Thomas Brown could be the difference. Carmody will have the cattle back, but there are no guarantees they will get it done. There's enough speed among the Swans group, they're a reliable defence with like-for-like options to ask questions of East Point's two way running. The 2018 & 2019 Premiers average 85 points against (comp rank #9) from their four games to date.