The Redan and Darley clash gets the nod based on ladder position, but the other matches carry just as much importance.

Redan is finals bound, but if the Lions are going to do more than make up numbers they need to knock over one of the top three.

Melton South is desperately in need of a win with its spot in the top six suddenly in jeopardy, while Lake Wendouree will be eager get back on track after a loss to Bacchus Marsh in its latest outing.

Then for Melton and East Point, it is all about enhancing their finals hopes, with every win vital.

REDAN v DARLEY

at City Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm

DARLEY (1st): 7 wins, 1 loss, 1 bye 

REDAN (5th): 5 wins, 3 losses, 1 bye

LAST MET: round 14, 2016 -  Lions 22.15 (147) d Devils 8.3 (51) 

Redan is at a fork in the road in its Ballarat Football League campaign.

The Lions can either stay in the hunt to challenge for a top three position or spend the rest of season ensuring it locks up a finals berth in the bottom half of the top six.

The direction Redan takes is likely to be determined by Saturday’s clash with Darley at the City Oval.

Redan runs into a Darley which has performed below expectations in its past few assignments – losing to Lake Wendouree and having a narrow escape against Ballarat either side of a bye.

Lions coach Brendan Peace has no doubt though that no matter what the Devils throw at them, if Redan plays up to its best it will be good enough to get the points.

“They’ve shown they vulnerable.”

Peace said Redan had its sights set on the top three, making this match extremely important.

Redan will go into the game without Peace after he strained a hamstring at training and ruckman Orren Stephenson (hamstring), with each likely to miss two to three weeks. 

The big inclusion though is skipper Liam Hoy.

Darley coach Heath Scotland, who is also still sidelined with a hamstring injury, said the Devils had shown there was too big of a gap between their best and worst.

He said they had only been playing the way they needed to in patches.

Scotland is looking for the improvement to begin in the defensive side of Darley’s game.

Darley regains Matt Inglis, while midfielder Dan Roy has been named as an emergency after missing one week. Each would add a great deal to the Devils.

Darley holds down top position on percentage from Lake Wendouree and if it wants to be sure of staying there needs to get over Redan.

BACCHUS MARSH v BALLARAT

at Maddingley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 17, 2016 - Cobras 20.10 (130) d Swans 5.6 (36)

BACCHUS MARSH (3rd): the Cobras are starting to feel the effects of injuries. They will be without prime mover Scott Sherlock (back), Daniel Burton (knee) and Liam Mullen (shoulder), while versatile big man Rhys McNay is feeling general soreness. This opens up the opportunity though for the return of Western Jets forward Blake Graham. 

BALLARAT (9th): a strong start will be a major objective. Coach Shane Hutchinson is still ruing a sluggish start against Darley before charging home. He said Ballarat had shown it could finish strongly, but needed to stay within touch of the better teams to ensure it could get into a winning position when it counted. The Swans lose the experienced Damian Larkin (calf), but have Mitch Bishop from the GWV Rebels in for his first game of the season.

PREDICTION: Bacchus Marsh

MELTON v EAST POINT

at MacPherson Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 17, 2016 - Kangaroos 20.17 (137) d Melton 6.9 (45)

MELTON (8th): Brad Murphy believes he will be fielding the best line-up of his coaching tenure with the Bloods and it could not come at a better time with a top six spot on the line. Melton welcomes back captain Jake Gleeson (concussion) and Jack Walker (ribs), as well as Coburg leader and classy ruckman Mark Orr, who is returning from a hamstring injury. Western Jets duo Brock McGregor and Blake Souter (Western Jets) are also expected back for a must win.

EAST POINT (7th): the Kangaroos are on a roll and with it their confidence is growing with each week.  A draw with Bacchus Marsh was as good as a win in many respects, especially given they achieved it without brothers Daniel and Steve Tung, and young spearhead Jake McQueen - underlining scope for continued improvement. Paul Koderenko's battle with Orr could be pivotal to the outcome.

PREDICTION: East Point

NORTH BALLARAT CITY v SEBASTOPOL

at Eureka Stadium, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 4, 2016 - City 25.12 (162) d Burra 7.9 (51)

NORTH BALLARAT CITY (10th): with its back to the wall, City is desperate to end what is now a seven-game losing streak. Coach Jordyn Burke says when it comes down to effort, his players deserve to be rewarded, with their form not as bad as the record suggests. However, he is well aware it is a matter of continuing to take little steps, Matt Johnston (Roosters) and Jim Vanderkley should be important inclusions along with youngster Elliott Lamb.

SEBASTOPOL (11th): this is also a great opportunity for the Burra, which is another jumping out of its skin to taste success. As with every coach, Shane Snibson wants and needs a four-quarter performance. Sebastopol shown excellent signs under the leadership of Tom Petersen, Brett Goodes and Toby Hutt, it needs more of it. This might be its day.

PREDICTION: North Ballarat City

LAKE WENDOUREE v MELTON SOUTH

at CE Brown Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 10, 2016 - Lakers 19.13 (127) d Panthers 9.14 (68)   

LAKE WENDOUREE (2nd): coach Tim Malone returns to defence after three weeks with a hamstring strain and Ben Hayes has used a bye to get over a leg issue, but out goes Luke Bucknall and Jayden Hooper for overseas trips and Nathan Pring with hamstring trouble. Lakers to bounce back after a loss to the Cobras and they will not be taking even a struggling Panthers easy in a potentially danger game.

MELTON SOUTH (6th): there has undoubtedly been some soul searching after back-to-back losses which threaten to derail its season. The Panthers need a major scalp and to do that they need bigger efforts from their support cast for the likes Mark Lynch, Ben Sortino, Matt Notman (back from a guest appearance with Maryborough) Nick Kommer and Adam El Houli. They have added under-18 Brody Sullivan and regain big defender Craig Searle after suspension.

PREDICTION: Lake Wendouree