at MacPherson Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Melton 17.10 (112) d Ballarat 11.7 (73), round 6, 2015.

MELTON: The axe has been somewhat swung at Melton in the wake of its four-point loss to Sebastopol last week.

Expect up to half a dozen changes to the Bloods' lineup this week, although this could be attributed more so to the names coming back into the side that were unavailable last week.

Usual Williamstown midfielder Jack Walker is undoubtedly the biggest inclusion as he makes his Melton debut for the season.

Walker is coming off a four-week injury and will likely find some form in the BFL.

Ruckman Brayden Sneddon will likely return from illness, while the Western Jets entourage that have been so pivotal in their few games this year will also likely be made available.

Murphy said he expected to field a far stronger team this week.

"It's just frustrating because I never know which Melton side is going to turn up," he said.

"We just have lapses in concentration and they hurt us a lot."

Murphy said his side had led at three quarter time on seven occasions this year but had won on just three occasions.

"I think we should have a good enough side to get the win this week though."

BALLARAT: Coach Ash Baker insists his side simply cannot afford to be jumped like it was last week or it will find itself out of the game before the blink of an eye.

The Swans conceded nine goals to Lake Wendouree in the opening term last week and Baker said it simply could not allow a similar start this time around.

"We addressed it on Tuesday night and we know we can't open up like that again," Baker said.

"Whether we were prepared enough or not I'm not sure but I know we definitely will be this week."

Into the side this week comes Will Garner after recovering from illness, while James Mead misses out with an Achilles injury.

Ryan Thompson is set to make his senior debut with North Ballarat Rebels facing the bye, while Luke Brennan will once again miss out with a knee injury.

"We even showed after quarter time last week that we do have some decent footy in us, but the lapses are just hurting us way too much."

With just one more game remaining after this round (against Bacchus Marsh) next week, expect Ballarat to come out firing from the start.

PREDICTION: Melton to be aided by some big names coming back into the side.

SEBASTOPOL (11th) v DARLEY (3rd)

at Marty Busch Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Darley 35.20 (230) d Sebastopol 6.2 (38), round 9, 2015.

SEBASTOPOL: There has been a different feeling around the Sebastopol training track this week - it is coming off a win for the first time in more than three years.

Buoyed with confidence following last week's drought-breaking victory against Melton, the Burra face a far greater challenge this week, hosting a Darley side that is fiercely defending the coveted third position.

Coach Shane Snibson knows it will be difficult, but has implored his side to show the same fight that allowed it to overcome a seven-goal deficit last week.

"It's about playing good footy for longer periods and we showed we can do that," he said.

In the respective fixture earlier in the year, Sebastopol was thumped by a mammoth 190 points, but Snibson insisted his side not be written off.

He will take inspiration out of Gippsland-based side Swifts Creek that last week beat Bruthen in the Omeo District Football League after losing three consecutive matches by more than 100 points throughout the year.

"Obviously we want to improve on 190 points from last time," Snibson said.

"It's about our willingness to put our head over the contest, it doesn't matter how good you are if you do that."

Dan Widgery misses through suspension, while Dan Cuthbertson is unavailable.

DARLEY: Shane O'Bree will play his first game in more than a month as the Devils ramp up their finals preparation.

There is a chance the former Collingwood and Brisbane Lions star could play the final three matches for the season to take his total to six for the year.

Leigh Spiteri and Tom Evans will also miss through commitments to the St Patrick's College Herald Sun Shield, meaning the Devils cannot afford to rest any players.

Although coach Jarrod Edwards admits he would have liked to.

"We'd love to rest a few, but we can't afford to, we're going to plat the strongest side we can put out on the park," he said.

"We might play a few in some different positions to freshen them up a bit but most of the guys are in pretty good nick at the moment."

Half back flanker will most likely play his first game of the season through the reserves as Darley looks to get the mandatory three games in him to qualify for finals.

Darren Leonard will again miss with a knee injury.

PREDICTION: Darley still far too good.