Roos and Lions offer midfield melee

East Point v Redan

THE Kangas host the Lions this weekend at the Eastern Oval in what will be a battle of arguably the best two midfields in the McDonalds Ballarat Football League.

The home side have Matt Johnston, Jackson Merrett and Mickitja Rotumah-Onus who was named best on ground last time out, while Redan have Lachie George, Lincoln Barnes and maybe Craig Cooper-Peters pending his availability due to VFL commitments.

Both teams have dynamic forwards and the ability to score heavily and in quick fashion, but the premiership experience just swings in the favour of East Point who welcomed back Aden Nestor and Dallas Martin to strengthen their push towards another premiership.

Prediction: East Point by 24 points.

Bacchus Marsh v Lake Wendouree

Back-to-back victories has seen the Marsh quest towards a 2022 finals campaign become a lot easier.

A comprehensive 22-point victory over Sebastopol on the weekend announced the Cobras as one of the competition’s dark horses in the race for the premiership.

Getting it done in Ballarat was extra sweet and now back on their home deck they should have no problem putting the Lakers to the sword who sadly dwelling in bottom position on the ladder.

Prediction: Bacchus Marsh comfortably.

North Ballarat v Darley

Match of the Round as the Roosters host a Devil outfit who bounced back in a big way with a 106-point victory over the struggling Lakers.

Nick Rodda shot back to leading the race for the 2022 Tony Lockett Medal with a bag of nine last time out and sets up a dream dual with veteran defender Ryan Hobbs this weekend.

After a slow start, North Ballarat found their grove to wipe out Melton Souths slim finals aspirations, as Jack Riding led the forward line again, this time with six goals as his stock continues to grow.

The Roosters had Sam Glover available for selection from the VFL, if they can swindle the Pies to release him again this weekend it could work as the catalyst in them sneaking away in what is an eight-point game as the victor probably stays in the top six and loser may slip out.

Prediction: North Ballarat in a tight one.

Melton v Sebastopol

Quite the rivalry has begun to brew between these two sides over the last couple of seasons as the undefeated Bloods host the Burra in a mouth-watering clash this weekend at MacPherson Park.

Back in the 2019 preliminary final, Sebastopol came from behind to roll Melton, and last season it was the Bloods who exacted revenge with a one-point victory in an absolute thriller.

That history should make this a brilliant contest with both sides expected to bring back arguably their best midfielders with Lachlan Watkins and Lachlan Cassidy respectively putting their hands up for selection.

However, the Burras injury crisis has continued with both James Richards and Dean Roberston both succumbing to knocks against Bacchus Marsh on the weekend deplete Michael Searl’s first choice ruck stocks.

Melton looked slightly off-kilter last week and are due for a loss but the injuries to Sebas might mean the pack chasing the top side might have to wait another week.

Prediction: Melton by under a goal.

Sunbury v Ballarat

Clarke Oval was once a fortress, but now presents as a real opportunity for Ballarat sides to walk away with four points.

The Ballarat Swans will no doubt go in heavy favourites this weekend, but Sunbury will be hoping that they have turned a corner after a more competitive outlook last week.

Yes, Jake Sutton bagged a career high eight goals which will most likely see him in Essendon’s VFL line-up again, but after an honourable loss and the Swans horrible record across on the Calder, Lions’ fans can believe they are a sniff this weekend.