DARLEY v BACCHUS MARSH
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at Darley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST TIME: Bacchus Marsh 21.17 (143) d Darley 10.10 (70), round 2
BACCHUS Marsh is expecting Darley to come out "breathing fire" in the Ballarat Football League at Darley on Saturday.
The Devils have been off their game early in matches before making comebacks to run over East Point and Lake Wendouree in the past two rounds.
Cobras coach Travis Hodgson is not counting on a repeat from the reigning premier.
"I'd be surprised if they started slowly. I'm expecting them to come out hard." he said.
Hodgson said Bacchus Marsh would be ready for a hot opening. "Not a lot of our players have finals experience and this is going to be a finals-like game - the intensity, the atmosphere."
With Bacchus Marsh set to play finals for the first time in more than a decade, Hodgson said he was looking on this game as a dress rehearsal for the finals.
Darley has left no doubt it is looking to avenge the big round two loss to the Cobras - an outing which has left a lasting impact on the Devils.
There is always an edge to this fixture, but for Darley there is much more at stake than usual against Bacchus Marsh, which is seeking to retain a top-two position and the double chance that goes with it in the finals.
Darley is playing to stay in front in the chase for sixth place and another finals campaign. It has given itself a real chance with critical wins over East Point and Lake Wendouree, but needs to keep winning.
Hodgson said while a newcomer to Bacchus Marsh, the rivalry with Darley and what it meant was clear to him when they met at the start of the season.
He said he had no doubt there would be even more pressure this time given how important the match was.
Darley and Bacchus Marsh have each made forced changes. The Devils have lost Daniel Robson (hamstring), Leigh Spiteri and Ryan Closter, but regain classy duo Jake Ancrum (suspension) and Luke Delahey (Vic Country under-19s). The Cobras could not consider Liam Mullen (ankle).
EAST POINT v LAKE WENDOUREE
at Eastern Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST TIME: Lake Wendouree 20.17 (137) d East Point 7.15 (57), round 9
EAST POINT (7th): Only a month ago the Kangaroos were on the end of a hiding by the Lakers. Can they turn that around for a must-win? It is a huge ask, but one East Point has to respond to with their finals hopes still on the line. Fresh from a bye, if it can get at least one win in a run against three top six teams it might be enough to sneak into sixth with their last three outings against Ballarat, Melton and Sebastopol.
LAKE WENDOUREE (1st): For the first time this year the Lakers go into battle off a loss - an experience they will be determined not to experience again. Lakers get Bailey Edwards back from the Roosters and Nick Peters after suspension - two massive inclusions to a midfield which ran out of legs against Darley. Coach Gavin Webb rues missed opportunities in that game and that is not likely to happen again.
PREDICTION: Lake Wendouree
BALLARAT v SEBASTOPOL
at Alfredton, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST TIME: Ballarat 12.16 (88) d Sebastopol 11.6 (72), round 1
BALLARAT (9th): The Swans had to fight all the way to get over the Burra in round one. This will not be easy either, but boosted by Glen Coleman (back after hamstring injury) the Swans will be expecting to be more comfortable on what has proven to be a great new home deck. Ballarat has three wins and plays against the three teams is has defeated over the next three rounds. That would not be a bad finish to the season.
SEBASTOPOL (10th): The Burra, with the likes of Ryan Noether and Grady Snowden in, will see a real opportunity to add to its two wins. While Michael Powell will be a handful up forward, and a determined defence will be tireless, but Sebastopol might not have the leg speed through the midfield to match the run the Swans have - especially over 120 minutes.
PREDICTION: Ballarat
MELTON SOUTH v MELTON
at Melton Rec Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST TIME: Melton 13.4 (82) d Melton South 3.8 (26)
MELTON SOUTH (11th): It has been a difficult season for the Panthers. If they are to get an elusive win it has to come in the next three rounds in which they meet the teams immediately above them. And if ever Melton South was going to find something extra it would surely be with great servant Marc Dransman in his 300th game. It will give it another red hot go, but there will be no premiership points.
MELTON (8th): There's a buzz in the Bloods camp. Brad Murphy knows making the top six is not going to be easy, but he is confident can do enough, starting with a win here. With Melton now at full strength and finally with some stability, Murphy has no doubt Melton can get at least two wins - and probably more - against Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh, East Point and North Ballarat City. Western Jets duo Billy Crofts and Connor Griffiths are a boost along with Daniel Walker.
PREDICTION: Melton
SUNBURY v REDAN
at Sunbury, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST TIME: Sunbury 15.14 (104) d Redan 9.8 (62)
SUNBURY (4th): The Lions comfortably accounted for Redan last time, but coach Rick Horwood is not putting too much weight on that given the Western Lions were well below full strength and his own team has not been at its best over the past month. "Our best over four quarters is as good as anyone." Nathan Wood is a key return after recovering from the flu, while the likes of Josh Burgess and Joe Redfern should be better for their latest outings after setbacks.
REDAN (3rd): Brenton Riordan is back and Chris Giampaolo (knee) also returns as two key additions for a pivotal match. Coach Eammon Gill believes a rare four-quarter performance will be needed to keep its winning run going and move closer to a top-three finish - preferably a top-two finish. He wants to see cleaner use of the ball, which should be achievable in better conditions than the City Oval.
PREDICTION: Redan