The Cobras (5-5) host the impressive Swans (8-2) at Maddingley Park in BFNL’s ‘Match of the Round’ in the East.

Let’s temper expectations on Dennis Armfield’s young group causing an upset despite their fifth placing on the ladder.

The reality is, with key soldiers still sidelined, the Cobras are 1-5 v the current top six teams with an average losing margin of 51.8 points.

A win against seasoned opponents in the form of the Swans is unlikely, who were dominant, albeit at home, at their most recent meet just 28 days ago.

It sounds like a broken record in the weekly preview but the Swans’ 200cm trio of Biggie Nyuon (33 goals), Patrick Graham (named in the best 7/10) and Alex Keath (in best 5/8) are the point of difference - ably supported with back-up talls Riley Constable (back), Tyson Richard (forward) and a thriving midfield group that extends to the wings and across half back.

Brad Crouch (34 disposals in Round 7), Fraser Perkins (in best 6/10 games), Lewis Rinaldi (5/9) and VFL listed pair Thomas Simpson (4/6) and Tristan Maple (4/4) lead an accumulating brigade that continue to impress and impact games against any opposition.

Right now, there is no reason why the pattern will change on Saturday against a Cobras outfit essentially limping into the bye in the top end talent space.

Cobras own Jack Kovacevic showed his versatility with four goals against the Bloods last week- he is a footballer that can play anywhere.

While there is no ceiling on the limitations of Josh Huxtable who had had an indifferent preparation his previous two games.

Huxtable, crucial to the Cobras fortunes, missed their Round 7 meet against the Swans and would be a major boost if not required at Williamstown VFL.

Hamstrung Cobras’ star Jake Owen hasn’t played since Round 7 and must be nearing a return alongside Wil Lalor who hasn’t played since Round 5.

While there’s some upside to consider for the Cobras since their Round 7 fail against the Swans, it’s hard to see them making up the necessary ground (55 points) to pose a threat when the whips are cracking.

Ballarat has won five of its eight games this season by 50 points or more.

Impressive stuff - real deal material.

Scoop’s tip: Ballarat

Despite up to six changes expected for each side from their last meet on May 30, it’s hard to see the Lions upsetting the Devils at City Oval.

Marc Greig’s Pride arrive with rare back-to-back wins and valuable momentum but will need to start well to be any real chance, despite the home ground advantage.

Redan has managed just one goal in each of their previous four, first quarters, a stat that simply will not be enough against the reigning premiers.

Lion’s pair Brodie Pope and Will Madden are the pick of the six inclusions from their Round 7 meet but making up the 89 points that separated the two sides just 28 days ago looms every bit a bridge too far despite a host of key Devils expected to miss, including blue chip stocks Billy Myers and Will Johnson.

The form of the Devils’ top end in their absence has been season defining as they cling to an all-important third placing on the BFNL table.

Brett Bewley, Nick Hind, Lachie George, Joel Cadman and Luther Baker have enjoyed a good month amounting to important wins over Ballarat and Sunbury in recent weeks.

It’s all about what version of the Devils turn up in Ballarat given their disappointing result against an undermanned North Ballarat in Round 8.

Darley has trailed late in each of their three visits (1-2) to Ballarat this season suggesting they’re every bit gettable up the highway.

Devils’ Coach Dan Jordan will be well aware of their vulnerabilities despite an impressive record of 27 wins from their last 31 games.

Yes, like many clubs, the Devils will have one eye on the timely bye scheduled for July 4^th but will be well aware of the clear and present danger in the form of Redan that needs to be taken care of in the interim.

Scoop’s tip: Darley

The Burra face the luxury of a decimated Roosters outfit for the second time in 28 days.

Despite a home ground advantage in Round 7, the margin was compelling.

Playing witness to a turnaround worthy of flipping the result would be ambitious at best, given the dominant form of the Burra who continue to take all before them.

Sure, Lachie Cassidy missed last week for the Burra but they have been (deservedly) blessed with a run of health only the Ballarat Swans can rival.

Yes, they’re one and two on the ladder, they (both) bat deep but I’m convinced the relative clean bill of health has been the catalyst behind their three loss (collective) season.

Roosters’ coach Clint Proctor cannot wait for the bye - another fortnight post Saturday into the recovery of as many as nine frontline troops sidelined.

On the other hand Burra’s coach Tony Lockyer would be more than happy without a bye, capitalising on their advantage.

The Burra have always been a good side in totality despite missing the last two finals series.

The acquisition of three GFL talents, organic growth and the renaissance of experienced personnel sees them atop of the BFNL ladder and deservingly so.

Given a starved history on the silverware front, expect Lockyer to treat every game from here on as integral part of their premiership campaign with nothing taken for granted.

Note - a horror draw for North Ballarat ahead of the bye given their outs - I don’t expect them to be within four or five goals despite the comforts of Mars Stadium.

The Burra are ready to go while there’s a wait for the Roosters who I’m confident will come with a flurry when the whips are cracking closer to the end of the home and away season.

Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol

Arguably the match of the round in context when the Bloods host the Kangas at MacPherson Park.

Joe Carmody’s rebuild has seen three wins from their last five games and some would attest the Kangas have left their last two outings (losses) in the space of “woulda, coulda, shoulda!”

The Kangas led ladder leaders Sebastopol by 27 points early in the second quarter but couldn’t hang on.

Ironically the Burra’s two narrowest wins (of nine) have come against these two combatants (both 12 points) who face off on Saturday.

The Bloods have been in all bar one of their games really for periods and will again ask questions of an enigmatic group on the rise.

So much is at stake for both teams as the hosts look to consolidate their place inside the top six while the Kangas endeavour to keep their slim finals chances alive.

The usual suspects at bookends of the ground provide enough firepower for either side to win without surprise.

Bloods’ coach Troy Scoble will need to get his match ups right curtailing match winning duo Jacob Brown and Jarrod Joyce while Carmody faces the same predicament with the Carter brothers and Braedan Kight.

There’s sufficient form representation across half back out of both camps while the midfield battle may well (as in most games) prove the difference between win and loss.

The Bloods have lost five of their last six games and face similar season on the line opposition even this far out.

It would take a brave tipster to roll with either team winning beyond 15 points.

There’s nothing in it.

Scoop’s tip: East Point

Before we speculate on a highly probable result, let it be known Sunbury’s season is on the line when they head to CE Brown to take on the Lakers (0-10).

A four-win season thus far for last year’s grand finalists and a modest percentage of 85 heightens the demands on Matty White’s Pride to get this assignment done with a boost.

Lakers trio Alfred Jarnestrom (in best 5/10), Corey Rich and Joel O’Connell have provided much of the resistance for Rohan Brown’s cellar dwellers, amounting to a first quarter win against Redan last Saturday.

Considering the Lions managed 84 points against the Devils last week there’s no reason (apart from the weather) they can’t amass a total beyond 140 and the much-needed percentage that comes with it.

The form of next gen Lions talent Cody Bramble and Blake Walker is really encouraging for Sunbury moving forward but posting a score in the required vicinity, given the potential absence of Jake Sutton (Sydney VFL) and Jake Egan (inj) will be an afternoon long, point of interest.

Sunbury will win, but how far?

The margin will determine the nature of Sunbury’s want to bounce quicker in the event of a likely fifth win of the season.

Time is running out.

Scoop’s tip: Sunbury