at Creswick, Saturday, 2.30pm

CRESWICK has called up young recruit Liam Blake to make his senior debut on Saturday.

Blake, who crossed to the Central Highlands Football League club from Redan during the pre-season, is named for the Wickers’ home encounter with Daylesford.

Blake has impressed in his two games in the under-18s this season and has been added to the team as another attacking option, according to Creswick football manager Brad Jarvis.

“He’s a good-sized kid and moves well, so we are just looking for another avenue to goal,” Jarvis said.

Meanwhile, Chris McLean will miss this clash and the game against Springbank after he was handed a two-match ban by the tribunal during the week.

The winger was booked for bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent – Lakies’ Travis Hoyle – from front on when that player has their head down over the ball.

This happened in the 43-point loss to Learmonth last Saturday night.

Daylesford remains winless in 2016, despite another gallant showing against a side expected to challenge in finals.

The Bulldogs lost to Hepburn by 18 points in the spa country derby last Sunday afternoon, but get a boost through North Ballarat Roosters-listed Joel Cowan, who is available for this clash against the Wickers.

Prediction: Daylesford

Hepburn v Springbank

at Hepburn, Saturday, 2.30pm

LEE Cox has been named to take his place in the Hepburn side that will look to keep its unbeaten start to the season alive on Saturday.

Cox has missed the past two matches with a niggling hamstring injury, and while he has been selected for the blockbuster against Springbank, Burras coach Jason Olver won’t be taking any risks with his star forward.

“If there is any element of doubt, I just won’t play him,” Olver said.

“I’d rather him miss one more than miss another 4-5.”

Cox has played just one match this year and was absent for the wins over Learmonth and Daylesford.

Also missing from the hard-fought victory against the Bulldogs on Sunday was recruit Adem Asani - who is back from suspension this weekend - while midfielder Brad McKay is likely to take his place after recovering from a leg issue.

Olver said Springbank is the benchmark in 2016.

“They are the reigning premiers and what I saw last week doesn’t sway my opinion in any shape or form,” he said.

The Tigers returned to form with an impressive victory against Buninyong last weekend, but will be without key figures Tyler George and Peter Lewis, who have respective hamstring and Achilles injuries.

Forward Tom Eltringham is a key inclusion for the Tigers after missing the win over the Bombers through suspension.

Prediction: Springbank

Smythesdale v Carngham-Linton

at Smythesdale, Saturday, 2.30pm

SMYTHESDALE coach Stephen Frys admits the clash against Carngham-Linton was one of the matches he set his sights on during the pre-season.

The Bulldogs, which were well beaten by Waubra last weekend following their much-celebrated breakthrough victory against Skipton, come up against a Saints team that is battling in the early part of the campaign.

And there is no doubt the Smythesdale boys want to cash in.

“I wouldn’t say (I’ve got) good confidence, but I’m confident if the group can play good footy for four quarters, then I’d like to think we could come away with the win,” Frys said.

Assistant coach Ash Carli and midfielder Tom Nankivell are both likely to line-up in the side after missing the 131-point loss to the Roos last Saturday, while Frys could also return.

Aaron Braekmans is well aware that the Bulldogs will come our snarling, but is hoping to land his first win as senior coach of the Saints.

Braekmans said his side was playing in patches at present and was confident of its ability when some consistency could be found.

He revealed defender Josh White would be out this weekend because of a wrist injury he picked up in last Saturday’s loss to Rokewood-Corindhap.

Carngham-Linton is second last on the ladder as one of four winless teams.

Prediction: Carngham-Linton

Ballan v Clunes

at Ballan, Saturday, 2.30pm

Last time: Ballan 18.19 (127) d Clunes 3.6 (24), round 4, 2015

Ballan: The Blues have had a tricky start to the campaign, and after back-to-back defeats, they get a bit of respite here.

Coach Justin McConnell and his men were competitive in losses to top sides Bungaree and Gordon and should record an easy win this weekend.

Clunes: Magpies skipper Jesse Baird won't line-up for the team's difficult clash with Ballan this weekend.

Clunes coach Dale Cowell said Baird suffered a corked quadriceps in the heavy loss to Bungaree and had been struggling to run it out.

Prediction: Ballan

Beaufort v Skipton

at Beaufort, Saturday, 2.30pm

Last time: Beaufort 10.14 (74) d Skipton 5.4 (34), round 4, 2015

Beaufort: The Crows beat Newlyn last weekend to remain as one of four undefeated teams in the competition and should chalk up another easy win against a struggling Skipton, despite missing tall Jake Garvey.

Skipton: Injuries continue to sting the Emus, which have lost defender Josh Preston for the next couple of months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

However, they do get back a handful of players this weekend, including important trio Mitch and Austin Jones and Adam Romey.

Prediction: Beaufort

Bungaree v Learmonth

at Bungaree, Saturday, 2.30pm

Last time: Bungaree 15.17 (107) d Learmonth 11.4 (70), round 4, 2015

Bungaree: Midfielder Scott Mann and defender Jordan Payne are likely to be left out for the unbeaten Demons' clash with Learmonth on Saturday.

Bungaree coach Heath Pyke said Mann has a knee concern, while Payne is struggling with a quadriceps injury.

Learmonth: The Lakies broke through under lights last weekend and are set to get back defender Nick Bone for his first game of the campaign here.

Recruit Conor Dickson is likely to remain sidelined yet again as his clearance battle remains in the appeal process.

Prediction: Bungaree

Buninyong v Newlyn

at Buninyong, Saturday, 2.30pm

Last time: Buninyong 17.8 (110) d Newlyn 7.8 (50), round 4, 2015

Buninyong: The Bombers' first serious test resulted in a defeat at the hands of Springbank last weekend.

Kenny Terry will miss this game through suspension after accepting a one-week set penalty following an incident against the Tigers.

Newlyn: The Cats have named ruckman Stuart Robinson to return for the game against the Bombers.

Robinson was absent for the loss to Beaufort last weekend because of an ankle injury.

Prediction: Buninyong

Dunnstown v Waubra

at Dunnstown, Saturday, 2.30pm

Last time: Waubra 10.18 (78) d Dunnstown 7.4 (46), round 4, 2015

Dunnstown: In a big clash for the Towners, the side's backline has been bolstered by the return of Dan Parry and Mal Douglas, who both missed the easy win against Skipton last Saturday.

Waubra: The unbeaten Roos have been hit by injury, with Tom Nijam (concussion), Will Corbett (knee) and Charles Edmonston (ankle) all left out of the selected team after hurting themselves in the convincing win over Smythesdale.

Prediction: Waubra

Rokewood-Corindhap v Gordon

at Rokewood, Saturday, 2.30pm

Last time: Gordon 29.17 (191) d Rokewood-Corindhap 6.3 (39), round 4, 2015

Rokewood-Corindhap: Recruits Andy Castles and Jonah O'Brien are set to debut this weekend, however, Jordan Gercovich is set for an extended period on the sidelines because of concussion.

Meanwhile, the season appears over for Marcus Rainsford, who broke his ankle in the win over Carngham-Linton.

Gordon: The Eagles made it two wins on the trot against Ballan last weekend, but are likely to be without onballer Jye Cousins for this clash.

Gordon coach Gary Learmonth said Cousins was battling a leg problem.

Prediction: Gordon