LOOMING: Dylan Reid looks set to go head-to-head with East Point's Paul Koderenko at Darley Park.

DARLEY V EAST POINT

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at Darley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 11 this year - Kangaroos 16.17 (113) d Devils 6.11 (47)

DARLEY (5th):

EAST POINT (1st):

The reigning premier against the potential heir apparent.

This is how the Darley and East Point clash at Darley Park on Saturday shapes up.

Although top position is locked away, East Point knows the job is far from done.

First of all, the Kangaroos need to cap off the home and away season with another win. This is the only way they can remind their fellow finalists that they are ready to go on with it when the competition goes to a new level in the play-offs.

Then of course coach Jake Bridges faces the challenge of ensuring East Point does not get overwhelmed once it hits the finals and has to face hardened finals campaigners.

While Darley is hitting full strength, East Point will face the Devils without three of its young guns.

When East Point picked up Joel Ottavi and retained Jake McQueen, the question was asked as to how much it would see of the Essendon VFL-listed duo. Ottavi has been in the BFL most of the season and played a big part in the Roos’ to the top. McQueen has played eight games.

However, East will again be without them as well as Jacob Brown, who is also with Essendon, and it is going to impact.

Ottavi and Brown have been damaging near goal and will be missed against a well credentialled Darley defence. The Roos still have plenty of avenues to goal, but it adds that extra pressure in a big game and rehearsal for finals.

Onballer Daniel Semmens is another notable out.

The big game changer for Darley is the return of ruckman Dylan Reid, who has been overseas.

Reid made a huge impact on his arrival at the start of the year and the Devils have been waiting his return with anticipation. Although named as an emergency, he is likely to play.

Goal sneak Dane Grenfell and Daniel Robson are other notable inclusions. Abe Kur has been named as an emergency, but the premiership ruckman is also selected in the reserves.

Darley

B: D. Robson, J. Edwards, C. Cullen

HB: M. Young, R. Ellis, J. Zeestraten

C: T. Stone, S. Kennedy, L. Delahey

HF: M. Hanson, J. Carrick, S. Page

F: B. Graham, H. Inglis, T. Evans

R: D. Leonard, J. Ancrum, L. Baker

Int: L. Herring, K. Forde, J. Cadman, D. Grenfell, H. Scotland

Emg: A. Kur, J. Pattison, D. Reid, A. Azzopardi

In: D. Grenfell, D. Robson, J. Cadman

Out: J. Spiteri J. Pattison,

East Point

B: C. Lovig, M. Walsh, L. Dahlenburg

HB: D. Martin, J. Van Meel, D. Tung

C: B. Whittaker, C. Bilney, A. Nestor

HF: J. Johnston, L. Thornton, M. Rotumah-Onus

F: M. Johnston, B. McDougall, L. Gunn

R: P. Kodorenko, R. Monument, T. Clark

Int: J. Payne, A. Maconachie, J. Taylor, C. Carson

Emg: L. Faull, J. McClure, J. Gallagher

In: T. Clark, L. Gunn (debut)

Out: J. McQueen, D. Semmens

BACCHUS MARSH v MELTON

at Maddingley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 7 this year - Cobras 24.5 (149) d Bloods 6.5 (41)

BACCHUS MARSH (2nd): Finals might be still a week away, but the Cobras feel they have already started.

They have had to fight their way back into winning form to reclaim second position.

Coach Travis Hodgson said having picked up wins when Sunbury and Sebastopol were playing for their seasons had given the Marsh a real sense of achievement.

"It's been a great preparation (for finals)." Bacchus Marsh must win again to remain second. Lose and it will face Darley in an elimination final.

The Cobras regain Harrison King, Dylan Bishop and Trent Angwin - all big additions.

MELTON (4th): There has been plenty to celebrate at MacPherson Park - ending a finals drought. Coach Aaron Tymms now wants a big scalp to carry the momentum into the finals.

The Bloods have their sights on finishing third, which over the years has been a great launching pad for finals.

Tymms is conscious how well the Cobras play at home and will be focused on nullifying their star-studded attack of Aaron Willitts, Jake Owen and Ben Speight.

Melton had 99 tackles against Sunbury and plan to take the same ferocity into another massive outing. Daniel Walker returns after missing through work.

PREDICTION: Bacchus Marsh

Bacchus Marsh

B: L. Phyland, D. Velden, L. Mullen

HB: R. Stuhldreier, T. Angwin, J. Bolton

C: K. Dickson, L. Blundell, B. Griffiths

HF: B. Speight, J. Owen, H. Coulton

F: D. Phyland, A. Willitts, D. Bishop

R: D. Burton, N. Stuhldreier, T. Shea

Int: S. Lafranchi, J. Powell, M. Chisari, H. King

Emg: M. Sutherland, L. Noonan

In: H. King, T. Angwin, D. Bishop

Out: C. Stone, M. Sutherland, L. Noonan

Melton

B: T. Button, R. Carter, L. Walker

HB: B. Crofts, B. McIntyre, L. Hickey

C: J. Cotter, M. Denham, R. Walker

HF: C. Griffiths, M. Orr, B. Kennedy

F: B. Souter, D. Haby, B. Kight

R: B. Archard, L. Ericson, J. Hickey

Int: L. Heaney, L. Carter, D. Walker, N. Gale

Emg: B. Mawson, J. Whitehand, K. Derose, K. Wilson, J. May

In: D. Walker

Out: J. McGregor

MELTON SOUTH V SEBASTOPOL

at Melton Rec Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 8 this year - Burra 9.18 (72) d Panthers 3.14 (32)

MELTON SOUTH (11th): The Panthers will want to forget this year. A change of coaches mid-season and being without Brendan Fevola for all but one game did not make it any easier.

It was more than that though. Even with high class recruits their year simply failed to generate any momentum.

Although new coach Heath Pritchard has seen some enocuraging signs Melton South can only be left deflated.

This game is not totally out of reach, but playing out the game is the big challenge for the young Panthers.

SEBASTOPOL (7th): It is a case of what might have been. It's not unlike Melton South last year when it fought its way off the bottom only to miss finals by percentage.

The Burra has been a big improver and will be eager to round out the campaign under Leigh Hutchinson with an eighth win and lay the foundation towards taking the next step in 2019.

There is always the danger of a let-down, but the extra step taken by players such as Ryan Noether and Daniel Widgery, and having Michael Powell and Jack McNab back after injury means the Burra has the spread of players needed to work through games of this type.

Pride will play a major role in ensuring Sebastopol gets the job done.

PREDICTION: Sebastopol

MELTON SOUTH v. SEBASTOPOL

Melton South

B: J. Mepstead, C. Searle, M. Sullivan

HB: J. Charge, D. Vasjuta, J. Morrissey

C: M. Maguang, M. Lynch, D. Sharp

HF: W. Thornton-Gielen, B. Collins, S. Humphries

F: R. Holzer, D. Clarke, R. Miles

R: B. Sortino, B. Hooper, B. Sullivan

Int: B. Notman, C. Charge, B. Sullivan

Emg: R. Theo

No change

Sebastopol

B: B. Trew, T. Petersen, M. Cain

HB: J. Wilkinson, J. McNab, T. Lockyer

C: S. Butler, L. Cassidy, M. Austin

HF: G. Lovett, T. Hutt, J. Harvey

F: B. Goodes, J. Keeble, D. Widgery

R: N. Hausler, B. Hutt, C. Dummett

Int: R. Noether, J. Gercovich, B. Weightman, M. Powell

Emg: J. Onley, J. Morgan, L. Hind

In: B. Goodes

Out: J. Richards

REDAN V BALLARAT

at City Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 7 this year - Swans 12.12 (84) d Lions 10.11 (71)

REDAN (10th): Coach Brendan Peace and captain Liam Hoy are back. They will not only give the Lions more stealth, but importantly greater experience in a winnable game.

The Lions have done it tough this year - firstly being hit hard by player losses and then at no stage getting their best team on the park.

This week is no exception, with the key inclusions offset by the loss of Grant Bell, who injured a finger in a work incident. Youngster Sam Carr, who has impressed, is unavailable.

Peace said as well as wanting to finish the year on a high, there was also the incentive of knowing a win at home will take it above Ballarat on the ladder.

BALLARAT (9th): It has been rocky road for the Swans.

One of their few highs was a round seven 13-point win over Redan.

The Lions had the game by the scruff of the neck before AFL 300-game veteran Drew Petrie stood tall in the second half and led a revival.

This assignment will be harder. Redan has gradually improved, while the Swans have lost six in a row.

Coach Shane Hutchinson said it was going to be tough, but Ballarat was eager to grab the chance and end the season with a win.

PREDICTION: Redan

Redan

B: D. Mathews, N. Barker, K. Linton

HB: P. Fitzgibbon, W. Madden, Z. Jenkins

C: A. Harvey, N. Horbury, B. Peace

HF: L. McLean, D. Colbert, B. Schiltz

F: B. Thomson, L. Hoy, D. Chester

R: O. Stephenson, J. Giampaolo, C. Craig-Peters

Int: J. Toulmin, M. Coon, H. Edwards, K. Hayes

Emg: J. Jess, X. Curran, L. Scheele, D. Okely

In: M. Coon, B. Peace, C. Craig-Peters, L. Hoy

Out: G. Bell, S. Carr, P. Britt, Z. Oliver

Ballarat

B: S. Hutchinson, M. Bishop, T. Conroy

HB: M. McGrath, J. Leonard, K. Mellington

C: J. Antonio, T. Constable, S. James

HF: M. Martin, M. Bowman, C. Prendergast

F: J. Sutherland, M. Powling, A. Gray

R: B. Van de Heuvel, L. Wynd, W. Garner

Int: J. Ford, J. Blackburn, D. Kennedy, N. Garner

Emg: A. Stepnell, B. Fraser, T. Sutton

In: T. Conroy

Out: B. Davidson

SUNBURY V LAKE WENDOUREE

at Clarke Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm

LAST MET: round 11 this year - Lakers 6.12 (48) d Lions 5.8 (38)

SUNBURY (8th): After starting the year like a house on fire with four wins on end, including taking down Darley and Melton, the Lions have fallen off the rails.

Only their strong record at home kept them in the finals race until last round.

Coach Ben Jordan is hoping Sunbury can again produce something out of the box in front of a home crowd and go out with a bang.

"Hopefully we can give it a shake."

Getting Josh Guthrie and Mitch Conn back from Coburg in the VFL helps, but Grant Valles has finally succumb to a longstanding foot issue which has short-circuited his season.

LAKE WENDOUREE (6th): By coach Dale Power's own admission, there has been a massive gap between Lakers' best and worst in a skill-sense.

While there is just one more game to ensure it does not happen in an elimination final, Lake Wendouree will be doing all it can at Sunbury to do some fine tuning.

Improving forward potency has been a key focus in achieving this. While Power has seen improvement, he still wants to see a heavier emphasis on winning games rather than saving them through a defensive mindset.

He will be looking for cleaner possessions inside 50m to be a big part of it. Youngsters Joel O'Connell and Ned Nash are back.

PREDICTION: Lake Wendouree

Sunbury

B: W. Healy, J. Fenner, R. Wood

HB: L. Berry, P. MacDonough, A. Christensen

C: D. Landt, M. Conn, J. Guthrie

HF: B. Guthrie, J. Bygate, N. Bridgland

F: T. Stead, A. Magin, J. Landt

R: J. Eales, A. Duhau, N. Wood

Int: J. Hannett, G. Hay, D. Sanderson, J. Johnson

Emg: A. O'Connor, D. Jurczyluc, C. Casson, M. Wright, C. Hansen

In: D. Jurczyluc, M. Conn, J. Johnson, T. Stead, J. Guthrie