MATCH PREVIEW: Aspley v GIANTS

NEAFL ELIMINATION FINAL 1

Saturday, 31 August, 2019
Aspley v GIANTS
Voxson Oval, 12pm

SUMMARY

Here we go. Finals are upon us.

Voxson Oval is expected to be packed as the local Hornets take on the visiting GIANTS in a must-win clash.

Following a resounding win at home last week against the Northern Territory, Aspley have enjoyed some good form on their home turf of late. While the GIANTS managed to scrape through to the top six, they are expecting to regain some listed players off their injury list for this weekend to make it tough opposition for the Hornets.

Both sides are lauded for their hard-running brands of football, and will provide some delightful viewing this Saturday.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 16, 2019: Aspley 16.18 (114) defeated GIANTS 7.8 (50) at GIANTS Stadium
Round 13, 2018: GIANTS 15.10 (100) defeated Aspley 8.12 (60) at GIANTS Stadium
Round 7, 2017: Aspley 19.15 (129) defeated GIANTS 8.10 (58) at BISP

TALKING POINTS

1. Spectators will get their first glimpse of some of the NEAFL’s 2019 Team of the Year members on Saturday, as young GIANTS’ wingman Nick Shipley and stalwart Hornets Matt Payne and Gavin Grose take to the field, with three-time MVP Payne competing in his 150th NEAFL game. The 33-year-old ranked in the top five for disposals, clearances, contested possessions and inside 50s, and stopping his influence should be high on the Orange Army’s list.

2. Neither side enter this contest with the form they would have strived for pre-season, Aspley with a 2-3 record, and the GIANTS with a 1-4 record over the prior five weeks. It will be interesting to see how the GIANTS’ loss the week prior to the SUNS and subsequent travel will impact their performance against the Hornets, who are fresh off of a big win against the Thunder, at home, nonetheless.

3. When they last met, the Hornets stunned the GIANTS with a 64-point win in Orange territory. Veteran Matt Payne did his thing with 31 touches, and bookend forward Jono Freeman kicked 4.3, while GIANTS draftee Jackson Hately earnt a senior call-up with a team-high 29 disposals with eight tackles. Will the tables be turned this time around?

ROOKIE WATCH

The GIANTS have had a stellar year when it comes to young talent, with a club-record of four NEAFL Rising Star nominees. GIANTS Academy members Lachlan Squire, James Peatling and Harry Grant could all feature, but Tom Green is already catching plenty of attention ahead of this year’s draft, and is one to watch come finals. The big-bodied midfielder has been touted as a potential top five pick, and should he play, can put a firmer grip on a senior listing with some solid showings in big games.

STATS THAT MATTER

Despite playing finals every year but one in the NEAFL’s short history, 2019 is the first season the Hornets have finished higher than fourth. In Daniel Webster’s first season as senior coach, can he lead the brown and gold back to the promise land?

PREDICTION

The away side to snatch it in a thriller. GIANTS by 3 points.

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