Match Previews | As we enter the final month of the home and away season, our clubs will look to unlock a ladder logjam which holds the key to the top six jigsaw.

 Reigning premiers Melton remain on the road for a second week when they meet a Bacchus Marsh outfit clinging to fifth place on the BFNL ladder.

While the Bloods locked themselves in for another final’s series last week with a narrow win over North Ballarat, they would be keen to take another step forward with their midfield connection without the likes of Jaycob Hickey, and overall efficiency on goal.

With a relatively dry forecast at Maddingley Park on Saturday, Troy Scoble's group get an ideal opportunity against a very competitive Cobras lineup to recapture some of that ‘Bloods aura’ that took them to a 19-1 season in 2024.

Conversion in front of goal for the Bloods is a concern (48% - down 15% on last year from 1st to 7th) but expect them to 'get a few looks' at the weekend against the Cobras who rank just ninth in defence for the last seven weeks.

The Bloods defence is sound, rank one for the sample size despite losses to Darley, Redan and Sebastopol and will make it difficult for the Cobras to post a winning score in the absence of Jake Owen (finger).

Cobras’ coach Dennis Armfield has every right to be excited about the future with their next gen talent, including four recent BFNL interleague representatives Josh Huxtable (20), Isaac Nixon (20), Rye Penny (20) and Jack Kovacevic (21).

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