While the Swans sit comfortably inside the top six ahead of the ledger (2-1 & 126%), closing the gap between their best and worst remains an ongoing mission for coach Ash Baker.

You could’ve knocked the competition interest over with a feather last week to find the Swans trailing the Lakers at half time on current form.

Credit to the Lakers for showing signs of improvement albeit for a half before the Swans got back to work, going on to win by 57 points.

Unfortunately for Redan, they need everything to go their way on the injury front having witnessed firsthand last week the problems a few key outs can have on a young group with up to 10 players representing, still eligible for the Under 19s.

What we have found, for those that didn’t know already Marc Greig is the ideal mentor for a developing group and is surrounded by some key experience both on and off field.
The Lions at their peak will trouble all sides for periods but for how long separates those inside the six from those who are not.

Another challenge presents for Greig up against the tall timber at the Swans.

Containing Biggie Nyuon and Patrick Graham forward is a tough ask as we refer to every week not to mention Alex Keath across half back.

Swans midfielder Brad Crouch had arguably his best game last week and will look to carry on that form against more challenging opposition as they come to hand.

The Lions are clearly at a loss without Brodie Pope (finger) and Lachlan Bond (suspended).

The Swans are doing enough for periods to find the line; their best is very good.

Harnessing momentum against will be a watch for the Swans given you would expect their time spent with it, will prove more than enough to earn the points.

Scoop’s tip:  Ballarat

The Roosters will look to consolidate their recent form with a third win on the trot when they host a wounded Sunbury at Mars Stadium.

While Clint Proctor’s group made light work of an East Point side four games into a rebuild, it would be bordering on ignorance if you were not impressed with what the Roosters delivered.

Their Round 2 win over Bacchus Marsh a week earlier was essentially the first step into how the Roosters want to look like under Proctor in his second year at the helm.

Any resemblance of further progress from Proctors group will spell trouble for Matty White’s travelling party who sit in 8th place on the ladder and just one win from their opening three games.

Expect at least a handful of Sunbury players from their 2025 grand final side to miss, not to mention Josh Guthrie (hamstring) and newcomer Keenan O’Shea, elevating the hosts to outright favourites.

Nonetheless, Proctor can’t afford to contemplate the ‘have nots’ out of the Sunbury camp, rather continue the build on his own plan that is showing plenty of promise in the opening month.

The organisation and form of Sam Glover and Josh Morris down back, the run and carry of next gen trio Taj Bowman, Will Quinlan and  Reggie Palmer and heavy load shouldered by Brock Leonard, Elliott Lamb and Tom Bromley-Lynch has given forwards Denver Grainger Barrass, Jye Lockett and Jamie Quick a host of entries to capitalise - and that they are!

Sunbury’s makeshift 22 will arrive with a plan, some with an opportunity to cement a spot, proving their worth on the big stage.

I don’t envy White’s mission without the likes of Jake Sutton, Zach Stevens, Jordan Tentonello, Mitch McLean, Guthrie and O’Shea.

On paper, it’s North Ballarat who hold the aces despite the Lions undeniable top end talent led by Jake Egan and Tyson Lever.

However, if the Roosters are slightly off their tucker, beware of the hungry Pride.
White is a proud leader of his men so expect an immediate response from last week’s 83-point drubbing at the hands of Melton.
If the Roosters can withstand the heat early in the name of a hunting Pride, North Ballarat will be well on their way consolidating a spot in the top six (3-1) ahead of another blockbuster home game against the Bloods (2-1).

Scoop’s tip: North Ballarat

Expect the Devils’ 23-game winning streak to be challenged on Saturday when they head to MacPherson Park to take on the Bloods.

Sure, the Bloods will be a little shy of their best 22 but they have proven a bogie team for Dan Jordan’s all conquering army having won four of the past five meetings.

For the record the Devils last defeat came in Round 1 last year at the hands of the Bloods at this very venue.

Melton coach Troy Scoble will have had this ‘Match of the Round’ on his radar for some time and done his due diligence on the progression of the Devils.

While appreciating the reigning premier’s obvious firepower, you can take it to the bank Scoble will back in his system getting the job done.

You know what you’re going to get from the Devils, the evidence speaks for itself. They’re healthy, on the up into the new season and hunting the complete four quarter performance.

Denying the Devils intent will be an afternoon long battle for the Bloods who returned with a bang on the road last week, thrashing Sunbury by 83 points.

Jordan will have done his homework and plotted his own plan undoing the Bloods in front of their own fans.

Playmakers Braedan Kight, Liam Carter, Kyle Borg and rebound defender Jordy Cotter loom the obvious threats derailing the Devils dream run.

Kight arrives on the back of eight goals last week and will have earned a target match up.

In the last three season’s the x-factor forward has been held goal less just once - extraordinary effort.

But where do you start if you’re Scoble trying to find the right balance between containing the Devils’ mounting star power and etching a plan offensively capable?

While the 2024 premiership coach has found a way in all bar one of his matchups with the Devils, Scoble would be the first to concede a repeat success given the current landscape would be his best yet.

Scoop’s tip: Darley

The spirited Burra will look to maintain their early season form with a big win over the Lakers at CE Brown Reserve.

For Tony Lockyer’s men eyeing a 4-0 start, they will want to use Saturday’s hit out as the final tune up ahead of ‘big boy’ month with meetings against Sunbury (A), Darley (H), North Ballarat (H) and Melton (A) to follow.

Sebastopol are flying at the moment - even without key midfielders Lachie Cassidy and Bailey Medwell, who are closing in on a timely return.

In their absence, the Burra have used the opportunity to explore the ‘make-up’ of their midfield and what it looks like moving forward - all at the feet of in-form ruckman Toby Hutt.

Newcomers Felix Henderson, Jack Buckley and Joel Edwards have announced their arrivals at Sebastopol with an impressive opening month.

All have enjoyed either high numbers around the ball or in Edwards’ case, a bag of five goals last week just to loosen the collar.

The former GFL trio have taken some of the attention away from more familiar names in Jack Bambury, Luke Kiel, Hutt and Lockyer himself who continues to pose one of the more difficult match ups in the competition.

While Lockyer would be the first to acknowledge the challenges ahead, the task at hand in the form of the Lakers cannot be underestimated.

A win foremost, getting through unscathed, improving touch, connection and compliance will be high on Lockyer’s wish list for this week, plain and simple.

For Rohan Brown’s Lakers, how encouraging was it to see them lead the Swans at half time last week with spruik recruits Will Fordham and Corey Rich featuring prominently.

Hopefully the first half was replayed to the group during the week as motivation for what buy-in and belief will get you.

“More of the same for longer please”, will not only be Brown’s wish, but that from the competition more broadly.

The BFNL would love to see the Lakers give this a shake, but on form you can’t go passed the Burra making the perfect 4-0 start to their season.

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol