Maksymow remains on the outer after failing to meet Cobras team rules earlier this month.

He will not be available for senior selection again until playing at least one reserves game.

The Bacchus Marsh premiership player had an opportunity to do that against Melton at the weekend, but instead chose to go to work.

Cobras coach Travis Hodgson said Maksymow did work a lot of Saturday mornings. 

“It's his right to do so, so there’s no issues there from our end.

“What doesn’t change though is that is that entry back into the senior side will come on the back of a reserves game,” he said.

Failing to fulfill training commitments to the club’s standards led to Hodgson leaving Maksymow out of the Bacchus Marsh encounter with Melton. 

Top position is up for grabs in the round 13 battle between the Cobras and Lakers at Wendouree.

Each has lost just the one game, but a draw for Bacchus Marsh means Lake Wendouree heads the competition by two premiership points.

As well as missing its leading goalkicker, Bacchus Marsh has injury concerns with key tall Dean Heta (groin) and Matt Denham (shoulder).

Denham has been cleared of structural damage, but with some soreness in an AC joint is still doubtful, as is Heta.

Late recruit Jethro Calma-Holt, who was signed to bolster the Cobras’ attack, is also yet to play owing to a calf injury.

Lake Wendouree received a clean bill of health after its win over North Ballarat City.

However, Lakers remain without influential forward Nathan Pring, who for the second year in a row has been sidelined with injury, and key forward Jack Elkington (broken leg).

Last year it was a lower leg problem for Pring, which ultimately led to post-season surgery, but now it is a high hamstring. 

Pring has not played since Lakers’ loss to Bacchus Marsh in round eight.