at City Oval

Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Redan 8.18 (66) d North Ballarat City 6.5 (41) at Eureka Stadium in round two.

FINALLY, the two juggernauts will collide. 

Speculation across the region continues to build in just how this Ballarat Football League senior showdown will play out.

Will it be the lively ladder-leader Redan or will North Ballarat City’s experienced on-ball brigade take control? This match is billed as a potential grand final preview and is polarising rivals on just which of these powerhouses has the extra spark to win at City Oval on Saturday.

City enters the match on an impressive 11-game winning streak. The reigning premier’s only loss was to Redan – that was in round two and City’s first start for the season. Plenty has changed, particularly in the City camp, which was without the likes of Ryan Luke, Dan Jones and influential forward Tyler George to face the Lions then.

Not only has City been building momentum, but it has been building players and finally is starting to sport a settled, almost full-strength list rather than a handful of changes each week.

The Lions have the edge on City in rankings, by percentage alone, and this match has the weight to all-but decide who gets that coveted top spot for finals.

City coach Rob Waters said the game would certainly be a tough test, but a good test to see how his players measured up against the Lions.

“We’ve spent a long time waiting to see them again and they’ve been a consistent, good team for a long time this season,” Waters said. “For the first time in a long time, we’re starting to not have many changes...hopefully we can get some consistency into our bodies and the team.”

City made one change in selections Daniel Kilpatrick is back in the mix. The Lions regained dangerous forward Chris Giampaolo, who passed fitness testing on Thursday night for a hamstring strain. Giampaolo has formed an exciting duo with Nathan Horbury, who is in stellar form. 

The Lions must back up from an emotional setting in Sunbury last week with Sunbury marking one year since the MH17 flight was shot down over the Ukraine, killing club members Albert and Maree Rizk. That trip to Clarke Oval had a finals-like intensity and a close finish.

Redan coach Eammon Gill said, regardless of ladder rankings, he wanted his team to approach this game like any other – strong and maintaining pressure.

“We’re looking forward to playing North...but it’s still another week of football, really,” Gill said. “Full credit to Sunbury in an emotional game last week. We were a little off the boil early and both teams fought really hard after that. We definitely can’t afford to start slow again, especially against a team like North City.”

PREDICTION: The City streak to continue

BALLARAT (9th) v EAST POINT (6th)

at Alfredton Oval, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: East Point 7.11 (53) d Ballarat 6.9 (45) at Eastern Oval in round two.

BALLARAT: Swans coach Ash Baker says his team is determined to finish the year strong.

The past month, the Swans have been competitive against Darley, started strong against Redan and had a close bout with North Ballarat City.

East Point, which is fighting to stay in the top six, is prime target for the Swans.

Clashes with the league's top three teams has renewed confidence in the Swans' fold. Baker said that while his team has been good in patches, they must stay stronger for longer.

The Swans will bring back valuable experience in the versatile Nigel Otto and midfielder Chris Thornton. Both passed fitness testing on Thursday night to be named in selections.

EAST POINT: Disappointing in a second-half fade-out to Lake Wendouree, the Kangaroos know they can play sharper and more disciplined football.

The Kangaroos have kept top-six footing and must strike against Ballarat while their two key finals threats, Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury, are squaring off at Maddingley Park.

Jayden Delaney, Jason Alexander and Sam Cooper and three big losses for the Roos' team this week

PREDICTION: Ballarat by a kick

LAKE WENDOUREE (4th) v DARLEY (3rd)

at CE Brown Reserve, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Darley 17.17 (119) d Lake Wendouree 12.13(85) at Darley Park in round 10.

LAKE WENDOUREE: ONE month has passed since the Lakers lost control of play against Darley. This is their second chance to get things right.

Lake Wendouree coach Gavin Webb said key Devils did some fair damage to his team at Darley Park, stepping up their game after the Lakers had made the stronger start.

The Lakers have been steadily building to this rematch in a tough run to finals with the resurgent Ballarat next and top teams North Ballarat City and Redan after a bye.

They have bolstered their line-up with valuable forward Ben Hayes, a late withdrawal with soreness last week, and onballer Nathan Monk cleared to play.

Youngster Tyler Mookhoek and Isaac Kirby make way.

VFL-listed forward Lucas Anderson booted eight goals, including five in the first quarter, last game and will be hard to stop.

DARLEY: Slow starts have plagued the Devils the past month but have not hampered their progress.

The Devils are ferocious once they click into momentum.

Their multi-pronged attack and ruthless midfield creates serious trouble. Now the third-ranked Devils are playing for their seventh win in a row and chance to reinforce the BFL's coveted third spot.

Dangerous Devils forward Rhys Ellis made it back from a Bali holiday, a delayed return due to volcanic activity. Veteran Darren Leonard is out.

PREDICTION: Lakers in a tight finish

BACCHUS MARSH (7th) v SUNBURY (5th)

at Maddingley Park, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Bacchus Marsh 24.8 (152) d Sunbury 11.11 (77) at Clarke Oval in round seven.

BACCHUS MARSH: The Cobras have only beaten Sunbury once in BFL history. That was in round seven this year.

While Sunbury coach Rick Horwood says his team, bouncing back from Redan, could not afford any more honourable losses, neither can Bacchus Marsh.

The Cobras enter this game off losses to Redan, North Ballarat City and arch-rival Darley. They cannot drop any more.

They look set to make five changes, with dangerous forward Ben Peters named emergency.

SUNBURY: Adam Short was cleared of a striking charge at the tribunal this week for an incident that had him sent from the ground and the Lions left one man down for the remaining 13 minutes' play against Redan.

Fellow Lion Anthony Sammut was dealt a two-week ban for a bump referred to the tribunal on a video review.

Ruckman David Kovacevic will play after visiting a specialist for an eye injury he sustained in action last round. Nathan Wood played limited minutes last week but passed fitness testing for selections. Jesse Flannery is back.

Sunbury coach Rick Horwood said raw emotion was still strong at training on Tuesday in the wake of the club's a match to mark one year since supporters Albert and Maree Rizk were killed in the plan shot down over the Ukraine.

It had been tough to get players ready for a telling match against Bacchus Marsh - one that could impact their finals chances.

Horwood said the close match with Redan proved his team could match any rival if they played their best.

PREDICTION: Sunbury by three goals

SEBASTOPOL (11th) v MELTON SOUTH (10th)

at Marty Busch Reserve, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Melton South 22.16 (148) d Sebastopol 12.10 (82) at Melton Recreation Reserve in round six.

SEBASTOPOL: Big man Rowan Marshall is back in the Burras' line-up. Marshall has been away for VFL duty and some tough ruck assignments with the Roosters.

He has left a big hole in the Burras' outfit, especially with key forward Michael Powell sidelined leading into a bye.

Marshall is clear to play - he is not named on standby for the Roosters - and will be a massive boost for the Burras in hunting down their first season win.

The Burras had been building promising form before a lacklustre encounter with East Point a fortnight ago.

They have had plenty of time to regroup and refresh for what is the most winnable prospect in their five remaining matches this season.

MELTON SOUTH: The Panthers have one win on the board this season - Sebastopol in round six - and be assured they will be fired up to ensure they keep a winning edge on the Burras.

They have called on a proven performer with 2002 Henderson medallist, dual BFL leading goal-kicker and former Panthers' playing-coach Mathew Sutton to reinforce the senior team this week.

A competitive start against arch-rival Melton last week showed plenty of promise in the Panthers' camp. If they can continue to maintain that intensity, the Panthers should serve up an exciting clash against a persistent Sebastopol.

PREDICTION: Sebastopol for a win at home