The Cobras should be fresh and raring to go after a week off ahead of their must win clash against Redan at Maddingley Park.

Coach Dennis Armfield has utilised the time well to work on a few things and will be hopeful a response in the compliance space is restored after their disappointing second half fade out against the Devils in Round 3.

The Cobras impressed winning their opening two games but struggled to maintain the spark for long enough in their previous two.

It’s hoping a timely rest, a reset of sorts, proves the catalyst for a return to the winners list.

While the Cobras will start warm favourites, you can’t put a reservation on the capabilities of a young side like Redan given any momentum.

There are just enough experienced soldiers in the Lions’ camp to help steer the ship if they’re in a position to win.

One thing is for certain; Redan are well coached and will not leave any stone unturned despite having 18 of their 22 last week aged 21 or under.

While out classed against unbeaten Sebastopol, the Lions were in their game at halftime against Ballarat, within five goals of Sunbury and did what they had to when putting away the Lakers.

Greig’s pride will be buoyed with the inclusion of more experienced campaigners Lachlan Bond, Jordy Grant and Jacob Werts (test) while they will have to wait on the availability of Rory Gunsser who debuted for Geelong VFL. Ball magnet Brodie Pope remains sidelined with a work injury.

The Cobras will be made to earn the points, with onus on their mid-forward connection to be a major player determining the length of separation on the scoreboard.

Jake Owen is the obvious focal point, but there are a number of others more than capable impacting the contest in the air or at ground level if the game can be played on the Cobras terms.

Whether silky mover Josh Huxtable attracts the attention of a tag will be a watch out of the Greig camp given his creative influence.

Given the age profile at Greig’s disposal, it’s not about wins and losses but he’ll give them every chance to orchestrate an upset win on the road. Momentum will be the key for their young group.

Big men Lachie and Taj Bond will ask questions of the Cobras’ defence while the progression of young winger Oliver Pittard (in best 4/4) has been encouraging.

Expect the Cobras to bounce back to the winners list and kick away late after an even first half.

Scoop’s tip: Bacchus Marsh

The Swans remain a work in progress despite their impressive 3-1 start to the season and must embrace their next challenge against East Point accordingly.

While Ash Baker’s group have won a respectable 10/16 quarters this season, they have trailed both the Lakers and Redan at the first change in the last fortnight.

Furthermore, the Lakers still led the Swans at the half, while in Redan’s case, the game was still in the balance with just a goal separating the two..

Sure, East Point haven’t won a game in the infancy of their rebuild but a sniff of momentum afforded to the Kangas may be all they need to scare the Swans, chasing the complete four quarter performance.

The Kangas should be fresh after the week off in an otherwise demanding competition, to hit the ground running albeit on the road at Alfredton Oval.

Can the Swans deny the midfield experience still at the Kangas’ first use and minimise their forward half entries?

Expect the contest to be ferocious early, a battle of ‘the first to crack’.

While Baker will be all over the Swans correcting on their slow starts, you can guarantee the Kangas will see that stat in isolation as an opportunity to kickstart momentum, despite the underdogs tag.

There’s many a proud member within the Kangas’ line up who would be frustrated with the reality of a 0-4 ledger that can often translate following a reset.

So, heed the advice Swans, get cracking early or risk these proud Kangas coming for you on your home deck.

Star Kangas’ utility Jacob Brown returns and will champing at the bit to have an immediate impact after what he endured (watching) on the sidelines against North Ballarat.

The Swans have an exciting mix of player type and capabilities. Getting that enviable spread to connect over four quarters would be the testing material for any opposition.

For the immediate task at hand however, another forward showing from Baker’s bevy, a game on their terms for longer, should be enough to hold out a willing and eager Kangas outfit.

Scoop’s tip: Ballarat

The Roosters are beginning to live up to early (external) expectations with three wins on the bounce but must raise the bar again to overcome the Bloods.

North Ballarat coach Clint Proctor is no fool and would have watched the Bloods tape and identified how they were able to get away with the Devils again.

One win over the reigning premiers could be considered a surprise but five of the last six - that’s a pattern.

Proctor must find the ‘solution’ if they’re to deny an underestimated, understrength Bloods’ system.

The Roosters had two cracks at the Bloods last year and could’ve and should’ve won them both!

A failed third attempt, albeit their first meeting in 2026, will shed further light on where the two teams are at.

The Bloods have little to prove given their recent successes and will embrace the underdogs tag for a third week in a row like a duck to water.

However, given the Bloods’ past fortnight and the realities of ongoing injury and unavailability, don’t be surprised if coach Troy Scoble opts for the ‘long game’ or preservation mode for the Mars Stadium assignment.

The ‘Blooderhood’, still a handful shy of their best, will back in their system that withstood all of Sunbury and Darley, roll with their youth and see what that delivers.

No point wasting crucial assets if indeed they’re not ready - in May!

North Ballarat are flying in all areas of the ground at the moment, the buy-in and compliance under captain Elliott Lamb and Proctor is palpable.

The Roosters have won 11 of their previous 12 quarters, including their last two games at home.

Unfortunately for the Bloods, their much-celebrated defence will need to contain Denver Grainger Barras in what will likely be his last game until August due to travel. Also consider dangerous pair Jamie Quick and Jye Lockett who have hit the scoreboard with a bag of six goals and five respectively in the last fortnight.

Despite the Bloods’ unquestionable momentum with wins over both of last year’s grand finalists in successive weeks, surely, they can’t reproduce that level again and deny a fit and fresh Roosters outfit keen to make a statement of their own in front of home fans and the competition more broadly.

Scoop’s tip: North Ballarat

After a taxing month against four of last year’s finalists the Devils get the opportunity to spread their wings on home soil against the winless Lakers.

Sure, their 23-game winning streak came to a surprise end for a few last week, but the reality is the Bloods have won five of their last six meetings head-to-head under Troy Scoble.

Devils’ coach Dan Jordan will use the afternoon to work on any areas of their game he has identified needs room for improvement ahead of a huge match up on the road with Sebastopol (currently 4-0) in Round 6.

If I was to be picky the reigning premier’s first quarters are in need of a spark having returned below par numbers of 8.16 on the scoring front, clearly their worst of any term in their opening four rounds.

The Lakers are 6.12 in the same stat for measure.

The form of dual Henderson Medallist and Devils’ captain Brett Bewley sees him in rare air with a collective 100 disposals over the last fortnight.

Touted Lakers’ off-season additions not shy on experience will see first-hand the buy-in the former Fremantle Docker provides leading by example.

Will Fordham, Corey Rich, Alfred Jarnestrom and Louis Antonac are four quality players tipped to have an impact on the Lakers’ fortunes, but a first win still eludes them.

The assignment for Rohan Brown’s group, who concede just shy of 150 points per game on average across the first four rounds, does not get any easier heading into one of the toughest road trips in the BFNL.

The Devils will be hungry to atone for their loss last week and regain the kind of touch that saw them so dominant for the best part of 12 months.

The timing for the Lakers copping the Devils is not ideal.

Expect favourable, compelling numbers to bat deep for Jordan’s men in the aftermath, not to mention on the goal front.

Scoop’s tip: Darley

The embattled Sunbury Lions face another gruelling test in more ways than one when they prepare for the undefeated Burra at the weekend.

Six missing staples from the Sunbury line up last week will face fitness tests in a race against time to aid the rebound off two compelling losses to Melton and North Ballarat.

Josh Guthrie, Fraser Ampulski, Tyson Cook, Brock Landt (unlikely), Mitch McLean and Nathan Wood will be put through their paces for a desperate recall.

The timing of the draw didn’t help Matty White’s depleted pride at all, copping the Bloods, the Roosters and now the high-flying Burra.

White, like opposing coach Tony Lockyer, is quite the diplomat in these circumstances.

It’s an “it is what it is” scenario despite the obvious frustrations. From the outside, you have to wonder if the Lions’ interrupted prep with weddings, cricket finals and the like has denied them the ideal preparation with most having missed large periods of games in the pre-season.

Anyway, enough of that. White has made zero reference to the quandary the Lions are in on the casualty front so let’s reason with the ‘what haves’.

Well, what Sebastopol ‘have’ is a thriving list arriving on the back of four wins.

However, the Burra’s next month will tell us more of where they sit in the pecking order having played three of the bottom four sides who have won just one game between them.

Sebastopol’s three recruits from the GFL in Felix Henderson, Jack Buckley and Joel Edwards have been significant - they would be loving their short time in the new colours.

I’m sure Lockyer would’ve advised them of the realities that lay forward despite the week-by-week cliche approach.

Looks like Lockyer will get the Lions well shy of their best 22 but it won’t stop him from reaching higher, asking more of their own capabilities.

Bailey Medwell and Lachie Cassidy returned last week and will be better for the run, timely ahead of a trip to Clarke Oval.

Leading forward Joel Edwards will be brimming with confidence on the back of his 12 goals last week as would Adam Forbes given his consistency around the sticks.

The competition is very even for the most part, the intent on the footy uncompromising regardless of the score line.

If the Burra cannot overcome a vulnerable Lions outfit that would be a disappointing result for Lockyer.

In closing, the Burra have spent too long dealing with their own frustrations over recent times - they’re as fit and as healthy as they’ve been in years.

Lockyer has lived through it all - best make it count!

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol