at MacPherson Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 8, 2016 - Redan 18.13 (121) d Melton 5.7 (37)  

MELTON (6th) – REDAN (5th)

Redan and Melton each have strong cases to be up in confidence for their Ballarat Football League clash at Melton on Saturday.

Redan is fresh from taking down Darley to be now in touch with the top three, while Melton showed real fighting spirit to run over the top of East Point, which had been one of the form teams of the competition.

And when it comes to getting the points again, the incentive has never been bigger this campaign for these combatants – knowing that dropping this one will undo much of what was achieved in those performances

For Melton coach Brad Murphy, there is no question that taking the game away from East Point has boosted the Bloods’ self-belief. “We usually lose the close ones.”

He said it confirmed that they were on the right track – as did three wins in a row.

Murphy said as good as Melton’s winning run had been it was yet to beat a team above it on the ladder.

He said facing Redan provided this opportunity, but they were a good side and the Bloods would need to play well.

Sixth position is on the line for Melton, with Melton South a winning chance against Sunbury and East Point set to get four points for a bye and boasting a better percentage.

Melton will lose Coburg-listed Mark Orr to a hamstring and Western Jets-listed Blake Souter, but picks up Jordyn Cotter from Werribee to add to a line-up with the in-form Ben Archard, Jack Walker, Gus Grigg, Braedan Knight and Jake Gleeson

In the Redan camp, getting the better of Darley was the performance it really needed to confirm its status as a bona fide contender. Doing it without Orren Stephenson and Brendan Peace gave it an extra edge.

Up to then the Lions had only beaten teams below it – not enough when shooting for the ultimate.

While those veterans remain sidelined, Redan has also lost prime mover Dean Mathews, who a massive out.

Tom Morrish, Keenan Waterbury and Ben Schiltz are certainly big plusses – adding all-round strength for the Lions.

MELTON

In: K. Baker, J. Kight, J. Cotter

Out: B. Souter,  M. Orr, B. McGregor

REDAN

In: T. Morrish, K. Waterbury, B. Schiltz

Out: D. Mathews, A. Harvey, T Bryans

PREDICTION: Redan

BALLARAT v LAKE WENDOUREE

at Alfredton Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 3, 2016 - Lakers 23.18 (156) d Swans 9.12 (66)

BALLARAT (9th): Australian men's cricket team massage therapist Grant Baldwin makes his senior debut for the Swans. Baldwin strained a hamstring in a reserves game in round one before heading to England with the Australia for the Champions Trophy. He has been called up after just one reserves game since returning. This assignment completes the set of consecutive clashes with the top three. Mitch Bishop returns to the GWV Rebels after one match among four changes, which also include the return of Sam James.

In: S. James, J. Nicholls, M. Brehaut, G. Baldwin,

Out: M. Bishop, T. Conroy, J. Leonard, A. Stepnell

LAKE WENDOUREE (1st): Lakers will continue to blood youngsters such as Kynan Raven with the likes of Liam Findlay, Jayden Hooper and Luke Bucknall overseas. Coach Tim Malone is far from happy with an inability by his team to put fourth quarters together. "I can't put my finger on it." It continues to more than enough to lead the competition.

In: K. Raven, N. Fraser, J. Monk

Out: L. Findlay, J. Lohmann, A. Simpson

PREDICTION: Lake Wendouree

SEBASTOPOL v BACCHUS MARSH

at Marty Busch Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 11, 2016 - Cobras 10.11 (71) d Burra 3.4 (22)

SEBASTOPOL (11th): coach Shane Snibson expects the Cobras to be on the unpredictable side with a reshuffle up forward. To take advantage though Snibson says the Burra will need to not only continue its improved scoring potency, but also avoid falling away for a quarter. Burra gets back Ben Trew, but loses Ryan Noether (unavailable) and Tyler O’Sullivan-Kirchner, who as well as being suspended has suffered a potentially season-ending broken thumb.

In: H. Givvens, B. Trew, B. McLeod, T. Stewart, J. Harvey, D. Cuthbertson,

Out: J. Grills,  A. Young,  T. O'Sullivan-Kirchner,  D. Williamson,  R. Noether,  R. Henderson

BACCHUS MARSH (2nd):this game is all about ensuring they adjust to a series of changes. They lose Jarrah Maksymow (Vic Country), Hamish Coulton (Vic Country under-19s) and Blake Graham (Western Jets), who kicked a combined nine goals last round, as well as key defender Trent Angwin. But look who they get back - Scott Sherlock, Ryley Stuhldreier and Daniel Burton. Under-16.5 player Jack Hehir will debut.

In: J. Hehir, R. Stuhldreier, S. Sherlock, D. Burton

Out: J. Maksymow, T. Angwin, B. Graham, H. Coulton

PREDICTION: Bacchus Marsh

DARLEY v NORTH BALLARAT CITY

at Darley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 16, 2016 - City 13.11 (89) d Devils 7.11 (53)

DARLEY (3rd): the Devils have been shattered by the news that Matt Inglis will require an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. "I feel for him. It's terrible," coach Heath Scotland said. The setback comes on the back of Inglis missing last season with a broken ankle and dislocating a shoulder earlier this season. Brian Graham (Vic Country) will also be a big loss.  Darley is down on form after two losses in three outings, but Scotland is not too concerned, given how well placed it is, and Leigh Spiteri is a welcome return.

In: N. Thacker, L. Spiteri

Out: M. Inglis,  B. Graham

NORTH BALLARAT CITY (10th): City finally has some spring in its step after ending a long losing streak. Coach Jordyn Burke admits the Darley trip is never an easy assignment, especially when getting the Devils after a loss. Although still missing key players with injury, he said North was finally getting some continuity at the selection table. It does lose Matt Johnston back to the Roosters though, but continues to take the opportunity to rotate youngsters up from the under-18.5s..

In: T. Hotchin, T. Bromley-Lynch

Out: E. Lamb, M. Johnston

PREDICTION: Darley

SUNBURY v MELTON SOUTH

at Clarke Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: marquee game, 2016 - Panthers 12.12 (84) d Lions 11.9 (75)

SUNBURY (4th): the Lions are still kicking themselves for losing to the Panthers early in the season and are determined not to let this one slip their fingers. Sunbury will be without consistent defender Dwain Sanderson, who copped a four-match suspension. He was initially offered two weeks by a match review panel, but chose to challenge it in a tribunal hearing and had the penalty doubled.  Coach Ben Jordan said Sunbury needed to be sure it was straight back on the job after a bye. "We're well placed, but need to turn up."

In: T Lenaz

Out: D. Sanderson

MELTON SOUTH (7th): the Panthers are going through a much tougher time than they could ever imagined. If they are to turnaround their fortunes and get back in the top six they need to start the fight back now on the back of Mark Lynch, Brendan Fevola, Jonathon Kent, Nick Kommer and Matt Notman. There were some better signs despite losing to Lakers.

In: A. Clarke, R. Holzer

Out: S. Humphries

PREDICTION: Sunbury