BACCHUS MARSH v SEBASTOPOL
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at Maddingley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 11 - Cobras 22.19 (151) d Sebastopol 11.7 (73)
BACCHUS MARSH (1st): when the experienced Jethro Calma-Holt was recruited in the last few days of clearances it was all about adding an insurance policy. Coach Travis Hodgson saw him as a perfect top-up to his squad. Calma-Holt will get his first opportunity after getting a calf issue and chance prove he is in the best 22. The Cobras lose Scott Sherlock (hamstring) and VFL-listed Brenton Payne (broken toe), but get back Daniel Velden and Kane White.
SEBASTOPOL (11th): facing the top team and premiership favourite is a daunting task at any time, and this is no exception, especially given the long list of injuries the Burra has had. It is difficult to know what the frame of mind the Burra will be in after the release of an AFL Goldfields report suggesting its future is in the CHFL. Chase Dummett is a welcome return, but Lochie Huppatz heads back to the North Ballarat Roosters and Ben McLeod is unavailable.
PREDICTION: Bacchus Marsh
BACCHUS MARSH
In: J. Calma-Holt, K. White, D. Velden
Out: S. Sherlock, L. Noonan, B. Payne
SEBASTOPOL
In: N. Doonan, C. Dummett, R. Henderson, A. Wallis, J. Hardy
Out: B. Stevens, L. Huppatz, G. Lovett, J. Mason, B. McLeod
MELTON V MELTON SOUTH
at MacPherson Park, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 9 (season opener) - Panthers 10.19 (79) d Melton 10.5 (65)
MELTON (9th): coach Brad Murphy has left no stone unturned in preparing for this must-win affair. There's an air of confidence about Murphy, who has no hesitation in saying the Bloods have the line-up to take the upperhand by stretching Melton South out wide. Melton will also focus on shutting down Brendan Fevola and Mitch Banner in attack, and ball magnet Mark Lynch. Kayne Wilson (arm) is fit after a scare last round. Blake Souter is a possible replacement for Jake Grech.
MELTON SOUTH (8th): joint coach Sean Triplett says they are counting themselves lucky that they can still finals after a disappointing run. He said the message to players had been simple. "You've got an opportunity. Now take it." Melton South flew out of the blocks against North Ballarat City before a bye. A similar start might be enough to take the wind out Melton's sails.
PREDICTION: Melton South
MELTON
In: B. Souter
Out: J. Grech
MELTON SOUTH
In: S. Humphries
Out: D. Hillier
EAST POINT V NORTH BALLARAT CITY
at Eastern Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 5 - Kangaroos 13.17 (95) d City 12.13 (85)
EAST POINT (7th): it has been a season of missed opportunities for the Kangaroos, but such has been the nature of the competition it remains in the finals race. They have looked good at their best and that is where coach Jake Bridges will want East Point in this cut-throat encounter. "We have to throw the kitchen sink at it." There's no lack of talent, with Paul Koderenko, Daniel Tung, Bryson McDougall and Daniel Semmens all potential match-winners. It is going to come down to the desire of East Point as a unit.
NORTH BALLARAT CITY (6th): while coach Jordyn Burke never doubted he had the list to play finals, it was all about getting a consistent combination on the park. He said finally getting continuity in selection had made a world of difference - allowing North to bounce back from a shocking start to the year. Burke said outside ball movement was the key, with the execution of foot skills a key to their prospects.
PREDICTION: North Ballarat City
EAST POINT
In: J. Watkins, C. Jackson, S. Romeril
Out: B. Watkins, C. Bilney, J. McClure
NORTH BALLARAT CITY
In: E. Lamb, T. Bromley-Lynch,
Out: D. Kilpatrick, B. Leonard
BALLARAT V DARLEY
at Alfredton, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 9 - Devils 15.11 (101) d Swans 14.10 (94)
BALLARAT (10th): with a bye in round 18, the Swans will throw everything at the Devils in their last hit-out. Coach Shane Hutchinson said he would be urging his players to take a "nothing to lose" attitude into the game, with the possibility of getting one last big result out of the season. The Swans rattled the Devils' cage last time they met. Ballarat will be without consistent key defender Scott Wood (hand) and Mitch Bishop, who returns to the GWV Rebels.
DARLEY (3rd): after a topsy-turvy second half to the season, Darley will be looking to finish off strongly and secure third. While a top three finish is important, even more so will be managing players and the Devils have a patched up side with Heath Scotland among the injured, and Brian Graham still with Essendon in the VFL. They do get back the classy duo of Chris Graham and Brad Inglis though, as well as most likely Jay Pearson and Shane Page even though they have been named as emergencies.
PREDICTION: Darley
BALLARAT
In: J. Nicholls, C. Prendergast, T. Conroy
Out: M. Bishop, S. Wood, B. Fraser
DARLEY
In: B. Inglis, J. Pearson, C. Graham
Out: M. Young, R. Hawkins, L. Cahill