Everyone associated with the league remembers (albeit in whispered tones) that the Dahlsens Swans were one of the leaders among the BFL's Ballarat-based clubs in trying to put a road block on Balben North City's entry into the competition.

And Ballarat president Shane Manley remains wary of the North City BFL club and its relationship with VFL powerhouse North Ballarat.

But that will remain largely unspoken as the black-and-white lines up against the red-and-white at Eastern Oval.

For Manley, four points and the chance to lock away a finals place will be far more of a motivator than any lingering bad blood between the fifth placed team and its second from bottom opponent.

"We go to this game thinking, if we win this game, we make finals," Manley said.

"While we have never agreed with the North Ballarat model behind the North City structure, they are now part of the league and it is simply just another game.

"It would mean no more to beat this team than it would, say, Sebastopol. While we understand (North City's) particular feelings towards us over our stance on their admission into league, once the boys hit the ground it is another

game of football.

"Good luck to North Ballarat for winning the off-field battle but we're interested in who wins the on-field battle in 2008."

North City coach Aaron Clark was equally keen to play down any rivalry between the two clubs, dead-batting questions about that factor.

"We have only played them once so far, so it's hardly a rivalry from a player's point of view," he said.

"We won't get excited about having just one more win for the season."

The stakes are higher today for the Swans. Manley said the closeness of the competition meant that sixth could have every bit as much chance of winning this year's premiership as third has.

"This year I don't think (ladder position) makes much difference at all. Any of the top six can beat any of the others on their day. When third plays sixth there is no obvious winner and there is no easy run into the grand final,"

he said. "It doesn't matter first or sixth, the team that keeps winning will win the flag."

While Manley is still nervous about the North Ballarat juggernaut he says it is not something he can concentrate on.

"We can only focus on our back yard. We cannot control what is happening at other clubs."