Cobras’ veteran Tyson Shea plays his 316th game this weekend, becoming the BFNL games record holder breaking former teammate Daniel Veldon’s previous tally of 315.

What an achievement for one of the league’s most popular in and under staples that has included no less than 10 club best and fairests and a drought breaking 2016 premiership.

How the Cobras respond to the milestone occasion will be an afternoon long watch given they will be a handful shy of their best personnel.

The Bloods face a nervous trip to Maddingley Park aiming to keep their top six chances alive.

Just three wins for Troy Scoble’s group from their opening nine games is not ideal.

The perennial finalists need a buy-in mission capable of overcoming the Cobras on their own deck.

Let’s be honest, what we see on Saturday will be a shell of both teams best 22, the challenge on depth stocks deciding this game is very real.

The Cobras missed Jake Owen, Will Lalor, Isaac Nixon, Ashton Craig, Harry Scardamaglia, Kade Hilton, Bailey Glascott, James McDaid, Zac Dalli and Armi Wakefield in their 40 point loss to Sebastopol while the Bloods were without Jordy Kight, Lachie Watkins, Jack Walker, Lachie Walker, Riley Walker, Adrian Monitto and Tim Grech for their one-point loss to Redan.

Sebastopol and Ballarat aside, the remaining eight teams in the BFNL are all dealing with injuries to key personnel, making it difficult to produce your best in an even competition.

The Cobras and the Bloods would be the first to acknowledge the misfortunes of both camps ahead of Saturday and a winning result cannot be taken for granted.

Positively, the Cobras were the most accurate team on goal in the BFNL for the first half of the season while the Bloods have improved into third.

While there’s not a great deal separating the two sides on the numbers front for quarters won, the Cobras will look to improve on their third terms - only the Lakers have a poorer record.

Expect the Bloods to be well aware of any advantage they can use to keep their season alive.

While it’s not the end of the world for the Cobras in the event of loss, the alternative that awaits in the form of consolidation should need little motivation - not to mention a celebration for one of their all-time favourite sons in his milestone game.

Congratulations Tyson.

Scoop’s tip: Bacchus Marsh

Expect the Swans (3rd) to start warm favourites against the Roosters (2nd) at Alfredton Oval on Saturday.

Sure, the matchup validates the criteria of ‘Match of the Round’ in the ‘West’ but it will be a massive task for Roosters’ coach Clint Proctor given the host of core talent still sidelined with injury.

It’s thought up to six of the absent Roosters brigade will return immediately after the bye, against Bacchus Marsh on July 11.

Saturday’s match up gives the Swans every opportunity to bounce back against quality opposition after a narrow loss on the road to the Devils.

The much-improved Swans booted four goals in time on of the last quarter to finish on the heels of the reigning premiers.

A win on Saturday with a full list to choose from, in front of home fans would see the Swans move a game clear of the Roosters in second place.

While both sides are playing some good footy at the moment, it’s the potential of the dangerous Swans that sounds alarm bells for Proctor’s visiting party ahead of Saturday.

Even the Roosters would concede they’re underdogs despite their percentage advantage on the BFNL ladder.

For all of Ballarat’s improvement, they will want to start well and execute better on the scoreboard.

Only the Lakers have a worse first quarter record than the Swans and the same can be said for accuracy.

Clutching at straws I know, but the potential at the Swans bares no ceiling if they can tidy that up.

Ash Baker’s Ballarat are in very good form, and should take care of an undermanned, albeit honest, North Ballarat.

Scoop’s tip: Ballarat

Homegrown star junior and AFL Port Adelaide delisted talent Lachie Charleson will make his long awaited return for East Point when they host fierce rivals Sebastopol.

The Kangas will start bonafide underdogs but are responding quickly barely 10 weeks into a rebuild.

Only Sam Cue (knee) is unavailable for the Kangas given the recent departure of Jackson Merrett.

Their opponents, the Burra, are riding a wave of enjoyment that is reflective of their health and a solid form base that has earned them breathing space at the top of the table - flying 8-1.

Sebastopol’s last defeat came on the road against Sunbury on May 9.

Burra’s coach Tony Lockyer is the last person who takes anything for granted given the wretched run his club had to endure over previous seasons.

His respect for opposition sides, regardless of their place on the ladder never waivers.

It’s match of the round for Lockyer’s entourage every week.

So, Kangas fans, don’t expect any favours from the visitors at the get-go.

You will be made to earn everything which makes the ideal of an unlikely victory all the more exciting.

Understand, this is a danger game for Sebastopol. The Kangas are still eyeing off slim chances for a finals berth and will enter every game for the remainder without fear of expectation.

Tipping Joe Carmody’s Kangas will trouble a few sides at home with the Burra, North Ballarat, Lakers, Ballarat and Sunbury all scheduled for an Eastern Oval appearance.

Sebastopol, home and away just need to keep winning and stay healthy. Touch wood!

For the record, Sebastopol are the number one side in the comp for first (7-2) and last quarters (9-0) at the halfway mark.

The Kangas best performed quarter for the period has been their first (4-5), comp rank 6th.

For the remaining three quarters the Kangas rank 8th in each so plenty of work to do.

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol

Healthy rivals Sunbury and Darley prepare for another unmissable chapter in the BFNL’s Match of the Round in the ‘East’.

The sixth placed Lions have struggled on their way to just four wins from the opening half of the year, handicapped by injury and availability since the season opener.

While up to six Lions are expected to miss on Saturday, coach Matty White will have his fingers crossed star pair Jake Sutton (Sydney) and Jake Egan (Essendon) are released, given their respective VFL clubs have the bye.

Unfortunately, the favour is unlikely to be extended to the Devils camp with Werribee VFL duo Brady Wright and Mace Cousins tipped to be sidelined under instruction from the Tigers.

The predicted inclusions of Sutton and Egan will raise this game at Clarke Oval to a 50-50 contest.

Both sides would be the first to concede they have not reached the heights of last year when the two combined for just six losses ahead of a grand final showdown.

Already Sunbury (5) and Darley (3) have lost eight games at the halfway mark amid a changing of the guard in the BFNL - at least for now.

White and Devils’ coach Dan Jordan have the utmost respect for one another so expect the mindset and attitude to translate on field in what looms a crucial outcome in the ongoing makeup of the top six.

A win for the Devils on the road (1-3) will keep Jordan’s army in touch of the top three while the Lions need to consolidate their spot in the top six and build on their favourable home record (3-1).

The Lions’ defence (competition rank 6th) on paper are resembling more of their back six from last year following the welcome return of Jack Hannett.

White will be happy to get some games into the unit and roll with the same on spec this weekend despite the Devils’ 5-0 recent record over the Lions.

The midfield battle will always ask more of any Devils’ opponents given their top end brilliance.

Brett Bewley, Nick Hind and more recently Lachie George have enjoyed solid seasons without a bonafide ruckman for the opening seven weeks.

While the Devils’ forward line (rank 2nd) has struggled without Wil Jonson and Jayven Tanner in recent weeks they were blessed with a Billy Myers seven-goal masterclass in their five-point win over the Swans.

Myers is gold currency; every opposition include the former Williamstown talent in the same breath as ex-AFL pair Bewley and Hind which is glowing praise.

The role Myers (doubtful) plays this week is sure to create its own momentum - either up forward for the Devils or denying the Lions, in particular Sutton, who is playing some good footy with the Swans at VFL level.

Despite the outs at Sunbury, depth is not a problem for them overcoming the Devils who are not without their own issues.

Returned tall Ayden Tanner (suspended 1 week) and Adam Azzopardi (travel) won’t play while there is lingering doubt over Myers who had ongoing finger issues last week.

The Lions should win at home on the back of their big ins and greater depth stocks.

Both sides need to deal with their current health issues and find a way through.

A win on Saturday will provide a massive boost in the belief space given the absentees.

Scoop’s tip: Sunbury

The Lions are poised to make it back-to-wins for the first time this season when they host the winless Lakers at City Oval.

The separation witnessed at their previous meet surprised many across the competition, largely on the back of well credentialed additions to the Lakers in the off season. But it was the Lions who stood tall and did it comfortably.

Form suggests there’s little chance of the Lakers closing the gap enough to upset the Lions despite the prospect of the hosts missing up to six players (three GWV Rebels) from their upset win over the Bloods a week ago.

Speaking of the Bloods, it’s hard to fathom in the event of a win for Greig’s Pride and loss for Scoble’s Melton (v Bacchus Marsh) the two sides would be level on premiership points with three wins!

Redan need to keep improving under the guidance of Greig, if they’re to play a role in the second half of the season.

The challenge begins on Saturday in the first hit out of the return home and away games enroute to finals.

While any real ‘business end’ discussions are beyond these two for the here and now, there’s no discounting what claiming a few scalps would do.

And we should see the benefits of that put into place as early as Saturday when the Lions, still riding high from their Bloods win, look to dispose of the Lakers.

I can’t see the Lakers pinching an unlikely win despite the Lions list of outs.

Greig’s Pride surely do enough.

Scoop’s tip: Redan