Werribee and North Ballarat will look to take one big step towards respective finals appearances with wins on the weekend in the VFL.

The Roosters are one of the form teams in the competition, winning six of their last eight games to climb into eighth place on percentage.

However the loss of Brad McKenzie to the North Melbourne side will be a major blow. McKenzie was superb in the Roosters’ win over Collingwood, collecting 25 highly effective disposals.

It leaves just five North-listed players likely to face Williamstown at Eureka Stadium. There is an outside chance of a VFL debut for American rookie Eric Wallace, named on the extended interchange bench.

Wallace has been in good form at VFL development level, amassing 41 hit-outs last week. The door is open for a possible Mabon-Wallace combination in the ruck.

Werribee needs just one win from its last two matches to cement a finals berth and gets its first chance on Sunday against the Northern Blues at Visy Park.

Much like McKenzie at North Ballarat, the Tigers will miss Majak Daw immensely after season ending surgery on his knee.

Not only was Daw coming off a four goal haul last week, he was one of Werribee’s best the last time it faced the Blues. On that day Daw kicked two goals, collected 16 disposals and also laid 10 tackles.

However unlike the Roosters, Werribee will still boast an extremely strong contingent of Kangaroos.

Barring any late changes to the North Melbourne side on Saturday, Werribee could boast up to 11 AFL-listed players taking the field on Sunday.

The back six will be of particular note for Roos fans, featuring Michael Firrito, Scott McMahon and Ayden Kennedy.

Firrito and McMahon both came in for praise from senior coach Scott West while Kennedy will be looking to bounce back from a performance that West termed as ‘a little bit off’.

North Ballarat v Williamstown
Sunday 18th August
Eureka Stadium, 2:00pm EST

North-listed players (likely)

- Mitch Wilkins
- Cam Richardson
- Taylor Garner
- Ben Mabon
- Liam Anthony

Northern Blues v Werribee
Sunday 18th August
Visy Park, 2:00pm EST

North-listed players (likely)

- Taylor Hine
- Michael Firrito
- Ayden Kennedy
- Scott McMahon
- Will Sierakowski
- Jordie Gysberts
- Kieran Harper
- Daniel Currie
- Levi Greenwood
- Tim McGenniss
- Ben Speight