Western Jets youngster Zak Butters becomes the 36^th player used by Scotland at senior level against  Sebastopol at Darley Park on Saturday.

“It’s a big number,” Scotland said.

 “We need to settle the side.”

He said would be looking to trim selection options down to 25 to 26 players over the remaining home and away rounds.

Scotland is looking to lift Darley out of a mid-season slump, in which the Devils have gone from being unbeaten and cruising on top after six rounds to third after three losses in the next four outings.

The latest defeat at the hands of North Ballarat City is the one which has hurt the most, although he believes Darley’s form is as bad as it might appear on face value.

The other two defeats were against top team Lake Wendouree and Redan, which Scotland describes as the “sleeper” in the premiership race.

Scotland agrees with the suggestion though that some of his players possibly got ahead of themselves after a big pre-season and impressive start to the season proper.

“There’s been some complacency.”

He said he had not put too much emphasis on any negatives, but there was a need to make some adjustments and he was in the process of working through these.

Scotland said last week’s bye had come at an ideal time and he was looking for a turn around to begin immediately.

Darley will get every opportunity to make a strong run to the finals, with it also to play East Point, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury, Ballarat and Melton South in a favourable draw.

It will get every opportunity to climb back into the top third after dropping to third.

Sebastopol will use its 34^th and 35^th players at senior level in the clash with Darley, with Luke Noether and Baden Stevens inclusions.

BACCHUS Marsh premiership player Simon LaFranchi makes his first senior appearance against Lake Wendouree at Wendouree on Saturday.

He missed the start of the season with injury and has played just four reserves games – the last three in succession.

LaFranchi replaces Jadyn Trowsdale, who has a minor calf strain and has been left out as a precautionary measure.

Cobras coach Travis Hodgson said Trowsdale had hope to play, but was ruled out after pulling up sore at training.

Lakers will be without important defender Isaac Kirby, who coach Tim Malone said had been left out because of a handy injury.

In better news for Lake Wendouree, assistant coach Tim Littore makes his return in the reserves after a long-term knee injury.

Littore has been off the scene for more than a year after a knee reconstruction. He was injured mid-season last year.

East Point and Redan at the Eastern Oval, and North Ballarat and Ballarat meet in the other two BFL fixtures this weekend, with the latter playing at Mars Stadium on Sunday. 

Melton has a bye, while Melton South and Sunbury played their round 13 game on Good Friday as a marquee game.