at Clarke Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm

STANDINGS:

Sunbury 4^th

North Ballarat City 10th

Sunbury coach Ben Jordan believes the Lions are only now starting to reach the level of performance they need if they are to go on play finals.

They have won their past three games, including getting over Redan, and have pushed into fourth position.

“For the first time we’ve got our nose in front (in win-loss ratio). We’re well placed.”

While satisfied where Sunbury sits, Ben Jordan is confident the Lions how a lot more to offer.

“There’s so much more scope.” 

That view comes as no surprise with the likes of Alik Magin, Greg Hay, David Kovacevic, Dwain Sanderson, Adam Short and Andrew Duhau – all who were prominent in last year’s grand final campaign – and first-year players Ben Said and Alec Goodson in the ranks.

Jordan said given that they were still on the rise there were no fears of the Lions being mentally stretched yet.

However, he is also wary of the potential danger North Ballarat City could be at Clarke Oval on Saturday if the Lions did drop off.

“This is one of the games we must win.”

Jordan is not taking any notice of where City sits on the ladder – 10th with just one win – knowing it is potentially much better than that.

North Ballarat coach Jordyn Burke has no doubt that his players have the capability of winning if they play up to their capabilities.

“Our focus is controlling the things we can control. If we do that and take on the game it’s winnable.”

He said there were going to be plenty of opportunities for North Ballarat City to around its fortunes.

“Our expectation is nothing less than a win.”

Sunbury has bolstered its line-up with the return of key defender Adam Short after a hamstring.

City has named an extended interchange, with under-18.5 player Charlie Perks set to debut.

Ben Simpson has been called up to VFL ranks by the Roosters and Joe Symons is out with a knee injury – the extent of which was as of Thursday night still not known. 

PREDICTION: Sunbury

Sunbury

In: A. Short

Out: T. Lenaz

North Ballarat City

In: C. Perks, L. Simpson, N. Olver

Out: J. Symons, B. Simpson

DARLEY v BALLARAT

at Darley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 8, 2016 - Devils 12.19 (91) d Swans 6.7 (43) 

DARLEY (1st): coach Heath Scotland (hamstring) is the Devils' big loss coming off a bye, with him hoping to return after their next bye in three weeks.

The return of Brad Inglis will help offset his absence as Darley looks to rebound off its first defeat of the season.

Scotland gave his players a light program last week, so they will eager to put this right and stay at the helm.

BALLARAT (9th): the Swans are looking at a daunting run against the big three over the next three rounds, but coach Shane Hutchinson is looking on it as a great opportunity for his young charges to learn from the best.

Ballarat needs to stop an opposition getting a run on. Naturally the best option is to get possession and hold it and this will be the aim in a difficult assignment. The Swans lose Daniel Hobbs to a shoulder injury.

PREDICTION: Devils

Darley

In: B. Inglis, R. Hawkins, T. Stone

Out: H. Scotland, M. Young, J Spiteri

Ballarat

In: J. Blackburn, B. Hobbs

Out: D. Hobbs, G. Shearer

SEBASTOPOL v REDAN

at Marty Busch Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 15, 2016 - Lions 12.18 (90) d Burra 4.11 (35)      

SEBASTOPOL (11th): the wait for a breakthrough continues for the Burra.

While its win/loss columns indicate otherwise, Sebastopol is arguably playing a better brand of football this season.

However, turning that into a victory is proving more than tough given that everyone else has also lifted. The Burra has shown good signs in various stages of games, but putting it all together is another thing.

It has been boosted by the return of the consistent Chase Dummett.

REDAN (5th): coach Brendan Peace expects to have ruckman Orren Stephenson back from a back/hamstring issue and what a difference he will make.

Young North Ballarat Roosters VFL-listed Keenan Waterbury is taking a break and will miss, but what this allows the Lions is to continue with a youth policy which has seen Tom Bryans join under-18.5 teammates Tom Morrish, Kali Dawborn and Todd Douglass being blooded.

At the other end of scale Peace is looking to rest some of his top end players over coming weeks – the first being captain Liam Hoy, who has a “niggle” and will not play to ensure he is right for the long-term.

PREDICTION: Lions

Sebastopol

In: S. Henry, C. Dummett

Out: B. McLeod, J. Morgan

Redan

In: J. Jess, O. Stephenson

Out: K. Waterbury, L. Hoy

EAST POINT v BACCHUS MARSH

at Eastern Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 14, 2016 - Cobras 18.18 (126) d Kangaroos 10.9 (69)

EAST POINT (8th): two wins on the trot and most significantly a show of attacking potency with 21 goals on each occasion.

The loss of young Jake McQueen, who has been rewarded with a call up by North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL, will impact on the Kangaroos' scoring ability, but there are some really good vibes in the team now.

As coach Jake Bridges highlighted, football can be a great leveller and East has a great record against the reigning premier. This will show where the improving Roos stand.

BACCHUS MARSH (2nd): the Cobras have not defeated East Point at this venue in 15 years and coach Travis Hodgson wants to put this hoodoo behind them.

They will have to do it without small forward Ryley Stuhldreier (hamstring), but the Cobras are a class unit and running hot. 

Defender Jackson Bolton (knee) will return, while Daniel Burton (knee) will only return if completely right.

PREDICTION: Cobras

East Point

In: S. Tung, J. Watkins, J. Van Meel

Out: B. Murphy,  D. Tung,  J. McQueen

Bacchus Marsh

In: J. Bolton, D. Burton

Out: R. Stuhldreier, J. Calvitto