East Point will have their work cut out keeping an impressive 16 game winning streak at Eastern Oval intact when they host high flying Darley on Saturday.

A core group of up to seven East Point players, including big names Matty Johnston and Bryce McDougall, are expected to miss another week as the Kangas’ hierarchy adopt an unofficial 'no risk' policy ahead of a greater cause, namely a qualifying final meet with the Devils in a fortnights time.   

While Kangas’ coach Joe Carmody welcomes another opportunity for depth stocks staking a claim for selection into the business end, Devils’ coach Dan Jordan has essentially just re-united his band near full strength having rested a select few over recent weeks.

Despite the misfortunate 'dead rubber' nature of this Round 17 fixture, rest assure Jordan will treat this as a mini dress rehearsal for the August 23 qualifier. With progressive Devils’ key forward Brady Wright (Werribee VFL) now ineligible for BFNL finals due to games played at the higher level, only Mace Cousins springs to mind as the missing piece in the Devils’ armoury.

Predicted 'poor' Wintery conditions are expected on Saturday which would've otherwise dampened the spectacle of an unmissable BFNL top of the table clash.

Tipping whatever happens here, it will be a token shake of hands at games end, with the old 'nothing to see here' theory posing a fair and reasonable narrative in the aftermath.

However, the stars on show will surely come to play, their competitive edge knows nothing else.

Can't wait for the midfield battle, both groups are in terrific form, not to mention the Will Johnson (Darley) match-up at one end and the Jacob Brown (East Point) go-to at the other.

Poker anyone?

For the record

• One live streak of reference will come to an end on Saturday - East Point's 15 game winning streak on Eastern Oval or Darley's unbeaten run 15 BFNL games since the season opener. 
• East Point rank #1 for third quarters in 2025, and rank #2 for first and second quarters behind Darley.
• The Devils also rank #1 for last quarters - East Point 5th.  

Scoop’s tip

Darley

The Swans head to MacPherson Park with a pulse, a chance to make it a hattrick of finals appearances if they can upset the pattern of recent history against the Bloods.

The numbers are pretty damming to even make a case for the plucky Swans but their spirited 37-point win over Bacchus Marsh last week will surely have grabbed the attention of Bloods’ coach Troy Scoble.

The experienced BFNL premiership mentor will be all over the current form, strengths and weaknesses of all trump cards in Ballarat's make-up.

While the Swans look a little shy on the Bloods head-to-head, spare a thought for former Carisbrook trio Harry Butler, Lewis and Zach Rinaldi - they wouldn't care less or even know the full extent of the two sides lopsided H2H record.

And this is what makes the Swans dangerous.

The second season Swans recruits have been super for the most part and instrumental in the clubs push in last year’s finals.

The trio, alongside the likes of Fraser Perkins, Tristan Maple, Wyatt Squires and co will have to draw on something very special to buck the run of outs against the Bloods.

With Ryan Carter in doubt, the Swans’ defensive focus shifts comfortably to Liam Carter and Braedan Kight – an easier said than done mission but you would hate the Swans to get beat with what they should already know.

Bloods’ pair Lachie Watkins and Harry Handley brought their own footballs last week and will look to capitalise again with their ball use aiding forward supply.

The Bloods will simply aim to maintain its impressive recent record over the Swans as they sit threatening in fourth place, with an eye to usurp Sunbury for an all-important crack at a second chance in week two of the finals.

Tipping the Swans to have some really good moments throughout the day but not enough to equate to a win over the Bloods.  

For the record

• Melton has won their last 6 meetings against Ballarat and 9 of the last 10.
• Ballarat has not won at MacPherson Park since 2015.

Scoop’s tip

Melton

Sebastopol need to win at Mars Stadium on Saturday to keep their year alive.

With closing games against North Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh to come, time is running out for Tony Lockyer’s touring party.

Both sides have alarming variations between their best and worst but it's North Ballarat who win the nod of approval for now.

While there hasn't been much between the two in more recent times, it's the bigger bodied match up of North Ballarat that looks most appealing.

Denver Grainger-Barras, Josh Morris, Cam McCallum just to name a few.

However, despite the hosts having one foot inside the door of the top six, expect the Burra to leave every bit of effort out on the field.

The two sides last meeting will show the Roosters were buoyed with the inclusion of Jamie Quick (four goals) and Port Melbourne VFL listed running man Riley Polkinghorne - just the absence of these two alone could be enough to swing favour toward the visitors.

However, while the Burras intentions are good, they just don't sit well in the trust basket getting it done.

Won't be much in it - if Roosters win, it means off to finals under new season coach Clint Proctor.

If the Burra wins, we're going down to the wire of the last home and away game of the season to determine the final makeup of the top six.

What an enthralling conclusion to this BFNL season we're witnessing! 

For the record

• While North Ballarat have won the last two games H2H, Sebastopol should hold no fears for a trip to Mars Stadium, having won two of their last four games at the venue and five of their last 10 games against the Roosters.

Scoop’s tip

North Ballarat

The Cobras have another opportunity to consolidate a position in this year’s finals when they host third placed Sunbury at Maddingley Park.

Their last meet in Round 9 feels like a long time ago now where the learnings drawn from the game have subsided to minimal degrees.

If there's any consolation or memory refresh to stimulate the Cobras, it would be their ability to have outscored the Lions for the final three quarters despite a 39-point loss.

It really is all about belief and sticking to the task for Dennis Armfield's Cobras who have had a habit in recent weeks rewarding great effort for one period with very little the next, and it's cost them dearly on the scoreboard.

Through the middle part of their narrow win over the Bloods, the Cobras coughed up seven of the next nine goals after putting themselves in the box seat at quarter time.

A copy paste version followed last week as Ballarat booted seven of eight goals through the middle part to reel in a 24-point deficit at the first break to lead at three quarter time.

While it's all about focus for the Cobras it will be all about maintaining it for Sunbury.

An enviable two-pronged Lions attack is near rivalled by a very underrated back six or seven who are the genesis moving Sunbury into the dangerous and 'very watchable' space.

That's not discounting the balance of Jake Egan, Ben Cameron and Harry Power through the middle who should have a game defining match up with possible Cobra trio Jake McCreery, Jamie Fulton and Josh Huxtable.

The Cobras will require a blend of offence and defensive skillsets at the feet of Luke Goetz to get it done.

Impact out of the middle will have a huge say in this result.

Versatility will ask questions of a Lions’ midfield who are hard to stop out of centre when they get their tails up.

Jake Sutton and Daniel Johnston loom the welcoming beneficiaries forward of centre if the Lions have their way.

Matty White's Sunbury have plenty to play for, namely a prized third place finish into finals and will arrive with no excuses.

Tipping Sunbury will do enough and the fate of the Cobras to be determined in the final week of the home and away season against Sebastopol. 

For the record

• Sunbury has won seven of the last nine clashes between these two sides, including the last three over 2024-25 by an average of 35 points.

Scoop’s tip

Sunbury

Lake Wendouree should prepare for this penultimate home and away fixture as their very own unofficial grand final when they head to the home of BFNL football, City Oval, to meet Redan.

Rohan Brown would have fond memories of the last time his Lakers won a game - near 12 months ago against the Lions.

The last two weeks, the Lakers have kicked higher than their season average, albeit marginally, but it's a feather in the cap of Brown and his group they have yet to throw in the towel.

Their effort against Sunbury last week was arguably their best for the season, and against top three opposition.

The Lions should be offended by the notion this a grand final for the winless Lakers, suggesting the nature of a finale of sorts, implies the underdogs to be in with a chance.

Interim coach Steve Kane will look for an emphatic response from his group who with weather permitting do it comfortably.

But nothing is ever comfortable for the Lions at the moment as they continue to 'almost' deliver against most if not all opposition.

The win over Melton was the Lions’ best of the season.

Outside of that amazing come from behind win, the reality is the Lions have lost all six other games over a seven-week period.

There's no denying the Lions are a talented group, their best 22 (all) may well get a game in any other side in the comp.

Weather permitting, it's time for Redan to strut their wares with a big win over the Lakers.

BFNL fans will be keen to follow the resistance shown from Brown's boys and what that equates to given they're without win at City Oval in seven years.

For the record

• Redan has beaten the Lakers at their five previous meetings at City Oval.
• The Lakers last win at City Oval came back in 2018.  

Scoop’s tip

Redan