A monster crowd is expected to descend on Maddingley Park for the highly anticipated battle between cross-town rivals Bacchus Marsh and Darley. A finals berth is at stake for these two teams but sadly, there's only room for one of them. Put simply, a loss for the Cobras on their home deck will end any finals aspirations while a win keeps their season alive.

For the Devils, a win guarantees them a spot in this year's finals, which would be a significant achievement under new coach Dan Jordan given the club's winless 2021. A loss on the other hand for the Devils does not mean game over entirely on the finals front. But they would need to beat North Ballarat in Round 18 and rely on other results falling their way to sneak in. So, in a nutshell - it is all about this next instalment between the old foe, as they say, that will seal one's fate.

Let's hope the weather holds up and we can be privy to a local derby for the ages. Only the 2018 Elimination Final - and 2017 Grand Final of more recent times - rival the hype and expectation of these two going head-to-head. Needless to say, finals aside - there is no bigger stage. We want to see Brett Bewley (named in the best in 10 out of 14 games) charging out of the middle and hitting Nick Rodda (50 goals) on the lead to hear the roar of the Devils faithful. We want to see Jake Owen (named in the best in 11 out of 13 games) in full flight and Harry King's run and carry on the spread and hear the Cobra fans at home in full voice. We wish for the derby, the best version of itself - unless, of course, you're in in either the Devils or the Cobras camp.

Darley understands their finals destiny lay in their own hands and Bacchus Marsh stands very much in the way right now. Jordan will have banked arguably his boys’ best win of the season last week over East Point and done all and sundry to keep the group grounded, in check, essentially reset. For the time is now to deliver when it counts most. While the focus will be on the Devils' mids, Brett Bewley, Dylan Landt (if available) and Luther Baker to generate majority supply forward, questions will be asked of their generals in defence, namely Matty Brett and Darren Leonard to manage a young back six negating Aaron Willetts (25 goals), Rex Hickman (16 goals) and Jake Owen (16 goals) who will likely spend some time in the front half, depending on the state of the game.

For the Cobras, captain Jake Owen is the star and leads by inspirational example. Tom German, Nick Stuhldreier, Harry King, Jack Williams, Michael Culliver and Aaron Willetts head a talented support crew more than capable of getting the job done.

We'll just have to wait and see.

East Point will aim to adopt the no mercy rule approach as they strive for a needed percentage booster against the Lakers. The Kangas gave up their second placing on the BFNL ladder with a 30-point loss on the road to Darley and will want to bounce back the best way they know how - doing damage on the scoreboard.

Last week the Kangas were kept to their second-lowest score of their season (57) and will have eyes on racking up the ton (weather permitting) once this game is put to bed. I can't see the Lakers troubling a Kangas outfit on the rebound, despite honourable efforts against the Swans and the Lions over the last two weeks. The senior bodies at East Point will exploit the determined youth of the Lakers to ensure they get the job done before an enthralling Round 17 meet with Melton.

In hindsight, the Kangas will have had the toughest draw, having played all current six teams twice by the season's end. And, so they should in fairness, given their reigning dual Premiership status. The hit-out with the Lakers ahead of the Melton bout will give the Kangas an opportunity to reflect on last week's loss and to reassert their brand as one of the more ominous combinations in the competition.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, their remaining three Home & Away games are as tough as any with East Point, Sebastopol and Melton. All Lakers coach Jack Fitzpatrick can ask for is a similar effort around the contest that resembles something from their previous two games. Plenty will be asked of the senior players at the Lakers to make sure they stay hungry or risk the likelihood of two or three big defeats at the end of the season. Experienced Lakers Joel and Lachlan O'Connell, Nathan Pring, Jacob Coxall, Timmy Collins and Callum McKay's message will be made clear by their actions. Nobody is expecting them to win, but we're hopeful of another buy-in effort from the undermanned Lakers that can at least make the Kangas earn it. 

Containing dangerous Kangas x-factor forward Jordy Johnston (45 goals - named in the best 9 out of 14 games) would be a good place to start for the Lakers. But that’s easier said than done. 

Not to be denied, this North Ballarat (6th) vs Sebastopol (4th) clash will have ramifications of its own. After a strong win against flag favourites Melton, Brendan McCartney's North find themselves in a position where they need to win to guarantee a place in this year's finals. Who would have thought their two recent slip-ups against East Point and Ballarat would see them vulnerable? If North does happen to lose against the 'Burras I will explore in greater detail the pros and cons for them enroute to finals.

Come season’s end, North Ballarat and East Point will have endured the toughest draws of all having met all remaining top six teams twice throughout the year. In hindsight, it's only fair given the Kangas and North share the 2018, 2019 Premierships (East) and 2021 Minor Premiership (North) between them. But what say of North Ballarat and their chances against a hungry 'Burras keen for some continuity much like their hosts who have been battered by injury?

North is known for bringing the heat early, we've seen that more often than not during McCartney's two-year tenure. Michael Searl's Sebastopol won't want to be playing catch up especially on Saturday because I guarantee McCartney will not have his boys overrun for a third week in a row. The 'Burras, fresh off their bye will hope to hit the ground running and put scoreboard pressure on a North Ballarat outfit who have every right to show some degree of fatigue given their tough run since Round 11. Try this block - Darley, Bye, Melton, East Point, Ballarat and now Sebastopol.

Macca's boys, whilst at home, are cherry ripe for the picking as the 'Burras continue to build as their reinforcements arrive. Reigning Henderson Medalist Lachie Cassidy is one of those who missed the 'Burrass 35-point win over North back in Round 5. However, Searl's gang will have to do it without Luke Kiel (suspended) who was instrumental in their recent wins over Bacchus Marsh and East Point.  

On the home front, North Ballarat looms a different proposition at Mars Stadium where they boast a 5-1 win/loss record. North enter this game with back-to-back losses away from home while the 'Burras are aiming for a fourth straight win.

Expect a stern response from North Ballarat, Macca is of the firm belief another great win for his club is close. Will this be the game? Only the 'Burras’ best can deny them.

While Finals are out of reach for Sunbury, their Round 16 meeting with ladder leaders Melton looms as the ideal opportunity to measure their improvement over recent weeks. In fairness, the Lions' three victories this year have come against the bottom two sides, but most would agree they're one of the better ninth-placed sides around regional Victoria. But they'll need to be better again if they're to take it to the Bloods, who should be fresh from the bye and raring to launch an assault on their last three Home & Away games before a much-anticipated finals campaign.

Expect important Bloods trio Jack Walker, Jacob Hickey and Luke Heeney's return to only bolster the flag favourites line-up as Aaron Tymms and his boys go all-in from here in 2022.

Despite the two teams' separation on the ladder, Tymms will treat this hit-out as one of three remaining [regular-season] Grand Finals. The Lions will aim to restore some pride into a disappointing season with meetings against the Bloods, Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh. How the Lions go about containing the strength and overall evenness of the Bloods across the ground will tell its own story on the scoreboard.

Leading Bloods forwards Ryan Carter (45 goals), Braedan Kight (32) and Liam Carter (28) provide a three-pronged attack unrivalled in the competition. The matchups and support planning will be crucial if Travis Hodgson's Lions are to get within five goals. Comparatively, the Lions have some of their own ability forward of centre that is capable of testing opposition sides. Jake Sutton (23 goals), Leigh Brennan (21) and youngster Jake Egan (16) are proven multiple goal options on their day, but whether they can get the supply inside 50 is another challenge altogether. Both midfields are pretty handy; for the Bloods Mark Orr (ruck), Jack Walker, Jacob Hickey and Lachie Watkins lead a group of ten players that could rotate through the centre if required.

The Lions' options are not as deep, but we should see Harry Minton-Connell return to the coalface if Josh Guthrie (North Melbourne VFL) is unavailable. Minton-Connell has had a stellar year in a (predominantly) losing side and is handy around stoppage but has spent a majority of recent time across half-back. No doubt the Lions benefitted by the inclusion of Port Melbourne affiliate Mitch Lewis last week, but his availability is yet another unknown among many at Sunbury this year. Captain Daniel Toman and Haydn Ross will ensure the Bloods don't have it all their own way but it's clear they'll be up against it.