Roosters look to secure finals

Darley v North Ballarat

BARING a mathematical disaster, North Ballarat have secured their place in the top six of the McDonald’s Ballarat Football League after a demolition job on the struggling Panthers last weekend.

Jamie Quick returned from health and safety protocols to bag six majors while Josh Chatfield found his grove up forward with five of his very own.

If North are wanting to be genuine contenders in the finals they need the trio of Chatfield, Quick and Jack Riding to continue to fire, the combo bagging 15 last round is just the start of what Brendan McCartney is hoping they can produce.

Now they travel to take on the Devils who announced during the week Dan Jordan would be going around for another season after taking them from winless in 2021 to finals footy 12 months later.

Darley should welcome back spiritual leader Shane Page for the last round of the season and will be hoping to claim a victory and move to fourth place, potentially securing a final against East Point.

A loss will see North jump them into fifth place and set up a tricky elimination final against either the Swans or Sebastopol.

Prediction: North Ballarat in an upset.

Melton v Lake Wendouree

Minor Premiers and looking to add another big victory to their already impressive season highlight reel, the Bloods host the Lakers at MacPherson Park.

Melton are undefeated at home in 2022 and with the opportunity of a home qualifying final a week later, it could be enough to say Melton already has one foot in the door of grand Finlay day.

This one will be about the Bloods fringe continuing to step up with spots difficult to come by as leading goal kicker Ryan Carter and experienced midfielder Dan O’Leary are waiting in the wings.

Prediction: Melton comfortably.

Redan v Melton South

Too little too late for Lions fans as they look to finish the season with an even ledger by hosting a Panthers side who have more or less checked out of season 2022.

A huge, near 100-point victory by Redan against Bacchus Marsh showcased how far they have dropped off the pace in recent weeks with six Lachie Mclean goals capping off best on ground performances from Isaac Grant and Craig Cooper-Peters.

Being 30 percentage points off North Ballarat, they will need to show the same ruthlessness this weekend, but more importantly finish the year off for outgoing coach Jarrett Giampaolo in style.

Prediction: Redan in a landslide.

Sebastopol v Ballarat

Easily match of the Round with Sebas hosting the Ballarat Swans in a blockbuster Marty Busch Reserve.

Both sides had comfortable victories last round over weaker opposition and this one could be the difference between an automatic second chance or sudden death in week one of the finals.

The Burra will regain Luke Kiel from his two-week suspension while Ballarat go in full strength after Josh Gibson got through unscathed in his return last week against Sunbury.

Andrew Hooper booted seven against the Lions, whereas the Burra continued to share the love inside forward 50 as they still try and figure out who can be their main man come the finals.

The Swans have beaten the Burra on their last couple meetings and with those few psychological scares lingering around they might find a way to sneak home in this one.

Prediction: Ballarat in a tight one.

Sunbury vs. Bacchus Marsh

Unfortunately a real nothing game here for either sides as Clarke Oval host the Lions verses the Cobras this weekend. Sunbury have a had a promising finish to the 2022 season but with only four wins to show for the year they will be hoping to tick one more over as they build towards season 2023 as a real destination club in that part of the world. For the Marsh it will be another disappointing year missing the top six, with too much reliance on Dan Burton and captain, Jake Owen in season 2022. When they have both played they have won and looked like a real dark horse this season, when one has missed… forget about it. It will be simple for Tom German in the off-season find some more consistency in players 12-22 on your list and then maybe a return to September will await.

Prediction: Bacchus Marsh by 24 points.