A week ago the eastern Lions were sitting on top of the ladder with only one loss for the season. Today they look ahead to a sudden death final against Redan, a team that has inflicted more than its fair share of pain in finals on Sunbury.

As of Saturday evening it was Lake Wendouree and Ballarat sitting at the top of the heap, with the juicy prospect of a spot in the MECU Ballarat Football League grand final or, at worst, a place in the preliminary final, on offer next weekend.

The buzz is all about the Lakers, who have toppled Sunbury twice in the space of three weeks. The form of forward Paul McMahon has been imposing, but it is the engine room of the "green machine" that has powered the Lakers to this point. With a

victory over Ballarat sandwiched between those two wins, the Lakers deserve to be considered a better than even money chance to play off in a grand final.

Ballarat's prospects are, quite literally, equally as good though. While Saturday's victory over East Point was not as impressive as Lake Wendouree's heroics, it was a solid hit out against an opponent that had "come to play". As the weather and turf

improves, so do the hopes of a side that has a host of tall, marking players.

Sunbury, meanwhile, should go into its first semi final with confidence against a Redan team that had to call on its reserves of experience against Darley.

The western Lions will be a tougher proposition with the likely return of Matthew Hyden and Jake Bridges, and possibly Matthew Pitt as well.

With the appalling condition of the Eastern Oval yesterday, though, Redan will have to manage its recovery this week.

"In those kinds of conditions and with a grand final three weeks away, a hard slog like that takes its toll," Redan coach Brendan Peace said.

"It will be light, short, sharp sessions, and no full-on one and a half hour sessions.

"Fortunately there are no new injuries I know of."

Sunbury and Redan, at least, can look forward to playing on Clarke Oval, which is in excellent condition.

For the second semi final between the Swans and Lakers, we can only hope the Eastern Oval surface recovers in time to a level fitting of the contest.