MATCH PREVIEW: Canberra v Aspley

NEAFL ROUND 20

Saturday, August 17, 2019
Canberra Demons (7th) vs Aspley Hornets (4th)
UNSW Canberra Oval, 12pm

SUMMARY

This game will act as the last home game of the year after coming off the bye last weekend for the Canberra Demons, as they look likely to miss out on finals action in 2019 after their 11-point loss to Sydney University two weeks ago.

Only a mathematical chance of making finals, Canberra will want to see out the remaining two games of the year with a big performance at home against the Hornets.

Meanwhile, Aspley is coming off the back of a six-goal loss to the Sydney Swans at home last weekend. Aspley are in a strong position to make the top four with two games remaining and will be looking to recapture some of their mid-season form that took down the Demons with an 80-point win in Round 13.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

2019, Round 13: Aspley 21.13 (139) defeated Canberra 9.5 (59) at Voxson Oval.
2018, Round 21: Aspley 11.16 (82) defeated Canberra 7.10 (52) at Phillip Oval.
2018, Round 12: Canberra 13.21 (99) defeated Aspley 9.12 (66) at South Pine Sports Complex.

TALKING POINTS

1. Aspley will be looking to regain some of their mid-season form that saw them string together a six-game winning streak with wins over sides such as the GIANTS and Southport. With two losses in their last three weeks, Daniel Webster’s side will be looking for this game as great preparation for a big finals series.

2. After being touted as potential premiership contenders early in the season, Canberra would be disappointed with their season particularly given some many close losses during the course of the year. With nothing to lose out of this game and a slim opportunity of finals, look for this Canberra Demons side to play with plenty of flare and risk.

3. It’s going to be a heavyweight battle in the midfield between Aspley great Matt Payne and last year’s Rising Star, Demon Mitch Maguire. Over the last month of football Payne has averaged 29 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances and seven inside 50s per game. Meanwhile, in his last four games, Maguire is averaging 35 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven marks and eight clearances a game.

ROOKIE WATCH

Small forwards have hurt Aspley in recent weeks and Rhys Pollock needs to make his mark if the Demons are to get over the line this week. A NEAFL Rising Star nominee, Pollock has enjoyed a consistent season for Canberra where he’s averaged 12 disposals and 1.5 goals per game.

STATS THAT MATTER

Scores from turnovers will likely dictate the result of this match. Aspley is the second-best side this year behind Brisbane at making teams pay on the rebound, scoring an average of 52 points per game from turnovers. The Demons have conceded the third highest points this season (878) from their turnovers.

PREDICTION

Aspley by 20 points.

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