at Maddingley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST TIME: Lake Wendouree 19.10 (124) d Bacchus Marsh 12.12 (84), round 8, 2015

BACCHUS Marsh has a new weapon which it hopes will help bring down unbeaten Lake Wendouree in the Ballarat Football League at Maddingley Park on Saturday.

Jarrah Maksymow will debut with the Cobras after starting the year with Murray Magpies in the Hume league.

Maksymow kicked four goals in the reserves in his first appearance for Bacchus Marsh at the weekend – more than enough to confidence coach Travis Hodgson to call him up.

The 23-year-old is the second late recruit the Cobras have secured through Hodgson’s ties with North Albury in the Ovens and Murray league, with Maksymow following hot on the heels of former Brisbane and Essendon forward Damian Cupido.

Hodgson is excited to have the 2014 North Albury best and fairest, and OMFL representative on board for the top-of-the-table clash, even though he believes it will three or four weeks before Maksymow finds his best form.

Hodgson said the second-placed Bacchus Marsh was excited by another major challenge which had so much on the line – top position.

He said it was a long time since the club had been in such a big game. “It’s a new experience. We’ve played reasonably so far, but Lake Wendouree has been the benchmark. We want to prove ourselves.”

Cam Richardson (hamstring) is the Cobras’ only injury worry.

Lake Wendouree has regained veteran Hayden Cartledge (corked leg), with Ben Hayes (hamstring) and Nick Peters (hand) still sidelined.

Lakers coach Gavin Webb said this was another good test. “They’re stronger and they’ve improved, but so have we,” he said.

Webb said the top-placed Lakers were going in confident that the outcome would go their way. He believes as strong as Bacchus Marsh looks in attack, Lake Wendouree also had a forward line which would be difficult to match up.

PREDICTION: Lake Wendouree

​BALLARAT V REDAN

at Alfredton Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST TIME: Redan 10.11 (71) d Ballarat 3.6 (24), round 12, 2015

BALLARAT: The young Swans are coming off three heavy defeats, which not even a two-week break will have erased from the memory. In each of those they have kick less than 10 goals and given up at least 23 majors. Coach Ash Baker will be delighted though to have star recruit Brad McDonald back after a back injury suffered in round two and Mitch Rodd (corked leg), who has impressed with the Roosters in the VFL.

REDAN: The Lions line up stronger against their former joint City Oval tenant despite the loss of experienced duo Dean Chester and Leigh Ryall. They regain Grant Bell (foot) after an extended lay-off and also get back Daniel Colbert, Brenton Riordan (overseas) and Callum Currie - all massive inclusions. Redan was brave against Sunbury and now has to give its season genuine momentum.

PREDICTION: Redan

SUNBURY V SEBASTOPOL

at Clarke Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST TIME: Sunbury 13.15 (93) d Sebastopol 8.3 (51), round 17, 2015

SUNBURY: The Eastern Lions are looming as the sleeper. They have gone about their business without any fanfare, but they have a combination which is beginning to shape a major contender. Sunbury is breathing down the necks of Lake Wendouree and Bacchus Marsh and with plenty of size looking a big threat. Key forward Josh Burgess returns to cover the loss of Jack Sheahan (knee), while Daniel Toman is back to the VFL.

SEBASTOPOL: It was great to have VFL-listed Tony Lockyer and Daniel Cox in blue and gold for a week, but it is going much tougher without them among a swag of changes. The trip Sunbury is never easy for anyone, but this shapes as being particularly tough for Shane Snibson and his charges.

PREDICTION: Sunbury

NORTH BALLARAT CITY V MELTON

at Eureka Stadium, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST TIME: N Ballarat City 26.12 (168) d Melton 3.6 (24), round 17, 2015

N BALLARAT CITY: How the season has changed after dropping two games. Coach Jordyn Burke said it was the "disappointing" price for not playing four quarters. The last thing it can afford is another defeat, which would drop it right back in the pack. Keenan George is a welcome return in what has to be another danger match, while Matt Johnston is back from the VFL for his first game.

MELTON: Coach Brad Murphy says the Bloods need to arrest their slow starts, which have been costly. Murphy is well aware Melton needs a "big scalp" if it is to take the next step, but will be without Nathan Wallace (concussion/broken ribs) for an extended period, and also lose Liam Carter, Mark Orr, Lachlan Hickey and Jaycob Hickey back to the VFL.

PREDICTION: North Ballarat City