at Clarke Oval

Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Redan 20.15 (135) d Sunbury 7.7 (49) at City Oval round six.

JAMES RIZK will fly back from an MH17 national memorial service in Canberra on Friday to honour his parents, Albert and Maree, on the football field.

Sunbury will mark the anniversary in a Ballarat Football League fixture against Redan at Clarke Oval, with a club function and moment’s silence before the senior game. Netball scheduling has been modified so all players, from both clubs, may take part in a ceremony.

The club requested to play Redan – the club it faced less than 48 hours after the attack over the Ukraine – and will have two of the same three field umpires for the senior game. Albert and Maree Rizk were active Sunbury members with close ties at Redan.

Sunbury coach Rick Horwood said there was no rule book for how to coach what was certain to be an emotional occasion, but felt this was a chance to pay respects to Redan and the broader football community for its support last year.

“I’ve been reflecting a lot this week on all the support we had from the BFL, Redan with what they did for us, and North Ballarat Roosters for sending their chaplain,” Horwood said.

“It will be emotional...I don’t know if players will be up because of it all or flat because of it all. We’ll just try and stick to the basics and focus on a good game.”

Rizk, who did not play in last year’s tribute game, will have more than 40 family members plus close friends on the sidelines in support. The club has done a lot of media leading into the game.

And this is rivalry round amplified by Sunbury’s push to reach finals, up against the competition leader.

Sunbury will bolster its team with returning star player Greg Hay, who passed fitness testing last night. Adam Short has been named emergency. But, Sunbury has a heavy loss in goal-kicker Ben Said who fractured his elbow five minutes into play against Melton South last week.

Calder Cannons duo Dylan Tarczon and Mitchell Conn have been released to Sunbury during a TAC Cup development weekend. They are welcome additions for Sunbury, which is out to build on its winning form from the past two rounds.

Top-team Redan, in formidable form, has sharpened its claws with returning forwards Grant Bell, Nathan Horbury, Brenton Riordan and Dan Colbert. All four played dominant roles when Redan demolished Sunbury, helped by nine unanswered second-half goals, in their round six meeting.

Redan coach Eammon Gill said his team looked forward to the outing and was honoured to be invited to Clarke Oval on a big, important day for the Sunbury Football Netball Club.

“Our clubs have both had a really good rivalry over the years and also a long-standing strong respect for what each other is doing,” Gill said.

PREDICTION: Redan just.

DARLEY v BACCHUS MARSH

at Darley Park, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Darley 13. 25 (103) d Bacchus Marsh 3.5 (23) at Maddingley Park in round two.

DARLEY: Forward Rhys Ellis has been ruled out of this rivalry blockbuster. Ellis is still waiting clearance to leave his holiday destination Bali.

The Devils will look to cover his absence with their strong multi-pronged attack, led by the in-form Jake Edwards, and should be refreshed from the bye round.

Darley coach Jarrod Edwards said he was always slightly worried returning to the field off a rest and has renewed his call on players to make a stronger start.

The Devils made light work of their cross-town rivals early this season but expect to face a vastly improved Cobras outfit this time.

BACCHUS MARSH: Strong-marking forward Peter Shepherd was in handy form with a five-goal form against North Ballarat City last round but the Cobras are keen to approach their attack a little more boradly.

Bacchus Marsh coach Cam Richardson said it was vital his team was not too predictable or reliant on Shepherd - then Shepherd could do his best work, finding one-on-one contests.

The Cobras have plenty to prove. They have beaten all the teams they should but are yet to beat a higher-ranked rival. Darley, ranked third, is a key target for this rivalry round.

Richardson hoped Darley would find his Cobras at their best.

They have tested their game against competition leaders Redan and North Ballarat City the past fortnight. Darley, as clear favourite, is another good chance to test the Cobras' worth.

These are the teams the Cobras must beat in finals football, but first they must keep pushing to reach finals football.

The Cobras have named an unchanged line up.

EAST POINT v LAKE WENDOUREE

at Eastern Oval, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Lake Wendouree 15.18 (108) d East Point 11.9 (75) at Wendouree Reserve in round seven.

EAST POINT: For the first time in a long time, the Kangaroos will retain a steady line-up.

It is handy timing too, with the Roos keen to test a bolstered and improved team on what they served up to Lake Wendouree in a close match six weeks ago - and the Roos are playing to reinforce their top-six footing.

East Point coach Glenn Wilkins was pleased with his team's discipline in a 159-point win against Sebastopol last week.

"If we can win this one, it might make things a little easier for us as the end of the season draws closer," Wilkins said.

"If we're in the right mindset and playing with the right attitude, we can certainly match it with them."

Joel Van Meel comes in for David Brady in the Roos' sole change in selections.

LAKE WENDOUREE: The Lakers have three key inclusions with Tyler Blake back from the VFL, Lucas Anderson returning from AFL Victoria country duty and defender Tom Carey, a late withdrawal last week, cleared for action.

Lake Wendouree coach Gavin Webb said the trio helped make his team look stronger on paper but the Lakers are well-aware that East Point has plenty to prove.

"We need to be playing at our best," Webb said.

"It will be good to play them at Eastern Oval, one of the main finals venues, and that's an opportunity you don't get very often either."

The Lakers are ranked fourth but Webb said his team could not afford to get too ahead of itself - they are only two wins clear of the mid-range battle between East Point, Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury and keen to increase the buffer.

NORTH BALLARAT CITY v BALLARAT

at Eureka Stadium, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: North Ballarat City 13.15 (93) d Ballarat 7.16 (58) at Alfredton Oval in round three.

NORTH BALLARAT CITY: Midfielder Daniel Kilpatrick is unavailable this round but otherwise, City boasts a steady line-up as it hunts an 11th consecutive win.

City is building towards a blockbuster showdown against top team Redan, the only team to have beaten City this season.

Tyler George made an emphatic seven-goal statement against Bacchus Marsh last week with Shaun Lyle also booting seven goals. A week earlier, it was five goals apiece to Lyle and Marcus Darmody.

Exciting City youngster Sam Hooper is also back in the BFL after representing AFL Victoria Country in the under-19 match against the Victorian Amateur Football Association last week.

City, on a roll, will be tough for Ballarat to stop.

BALLARAT: The Swans have served up competitive showings against top-three teams Darley and Redan the past fortnight and prepare for another huge test.

Athletic defender Tyler Constable has been promoted to add plenty of bite and run.

The Swans have ruled out an injured Elliot Gepp in one of three changes.

Ballarat coach Ash Baker said his team was in a tough period, but it was all good experience.

"This is another challenge, but it's also another chance for us to bring our best effort," Baker said.

MELTON v MELTON SOUTH

at MacPherson Park, Saturday 2.15pm

LAST TIME THEY MET: Melton South 12. 13 (85) drew Melton 12.13 (85) at Melton Recreation Reserve in round one.

MELTON: An injury-embattled Bloods are out to break a six-game losing streak.

Melton playing-coach Brad Murphy made a limited, but steady, seniors return from an Achilles injury last week. Murphy played three solid quarters but ahs trained well this week.

The Bloods will have an injection of Western Jets' talent in the TAC Cup development weekend, including big-bodied key position defence and forward option Liam Carter, Jets captain Jaycob Hickey and Jordyn Cotter. Williamstown has also released Jack Walker to join the Bloods in the Seagulls' VFL bye.

MELTON SOUTH: When the Panthers last met Melton, they powered out to a strong start.

That round one match, the Panthers featured former Collingwood and Fremantle player Chris Tarrant and Frankie Holzer booted seven goals.

The Panthers have won just the one game since.

Melton South coach Mark Pederson said his team would love to win this match but falling short, or drawing again, was far from the end of the world. Pederson is looking for improvement in his players' skill and adherance to structures.

"I'm asking my young boys to do things they're probably not capable of doing just yet, but it will all set them in good stead for the future," Pederson said.

The Panthers should keep an unchanged team, but was last night still to confirm its line-up following a 99-point loss to Sunbury last round.