The McDonald's Reds have rushed back within touch of the top three with some season-best form producing four wins and a draw in their last five games.

Only three weeks ago Ballarat was 10 points adrift of the top bracket after having been as low as seventh on the table mid-season.

The Reds have made the most of their opportunities and now are within five points of third-placed St Albans Saints. And they have the draw to keep this push going.

Ballarat plays ninth-placed Bendigo City - which it beat 4-1 early in the season - in the "Goldfields Derby” at Bendigo on Saturday, and then meets Springvale (ninth in east division) and Brunswick City, which is on the bottom in the west.

It will get tougher for coach James Robinson's boys in the run home, but first things first.

Robinson is excited about the match-up against Bendigo at the Huntly complex.

“There’s nothing like a derby. There will be some emotion.”

Right now Robinson could hardly be happier with his players.

“We’re playing an exciting brand of football. There’s a real desire to do better.

“We know we need to do and we’re getting it done,” he said.

Robinson said it was now important to keep the momentum going.

“As long as everyone continues to do the right things and remains in the right mindset we can do this.”

In more good news player-wise, Pat Karris is again available to be considered for selection.

He is in the mix after an extended time on the sidelines after playing 90 minutes in the under-20 team.