MATCH PREVIEW: Canberra v Redland

NEAFL ROUND 15

Saturday, July 13, 2019
Canberra Demons (8th) vs Redland (9th)
UNSW Canberra Oval, 12pm

SUMMARY

Round 15 will see the second meeting between the Canberra Demons and the Redland Bombers as Canberra looks to avenge it’s 60-point shock loss to the Bombers in Round 2.

The Demons are coming off the back of a heartbreaking draw last week against Sydney University at Phillip Oval after looking the better team for most of the match. Canberra hasn’t been able to find a ‘W’ since Round 9, instead suffering a small loss to the Swans and a sizeable defeat to the red-hot Aspley Hornets. Canberra are in desperate need of a win to keep touch with the top six.

The Bombers are currently on a four-game losing streak and haven’t found a win since Round 9 against the bottom placed NT Thunder. Their last two games have come across the two Queensland AFL sides which haven’t made for pretty reading. It has been a tough season for the men from Redland so far with only two wins, with three of their losses decided by 10 points or less.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 2, 2019: Redland 17.9 (111) defeated Canberra 7.9 (51) at Scottsdale Park.
Round 15, 2018: Canberra 20.14 (134) defeated Redland 14.10 (94) at UNSW Canberra Oval.
Round 9, 2018: Canberra 7.22 (64) defeated Redland 9.6 (60) at Scottsdale Park.

TALKING POINTS

1. Canberra had three big name late changes to their side last week due to injury, including Aaron Bruce, Angus Baker and Tom Highmore adding to an injury list that already includes Mitch Maguire, Riley Budd and Jack Powell. With all six of these players possibly available for selection after fitness test, it will cause selection headaches for Kade Klemke and a much-needed boost to the side.

2. Redland’s Round 2 victory against Canberra was an absolute domination. Underdogs heading into the match, the Bombers kicked 13 goals to four after quarter-time for a 60-point triumph, where Tom Salter (28 disposals), Jack Rolls (25), Adrian Williams (21) and Matt Hamelmann (five goals) led the way. They’ll take confidence out of that performance into this week and will need to produce a similar game to cause an upset win.

3. Canberra’s season is slipping away and their defence needs to step up in order to prevent leaking goals. Canberra is ranked second in the competition for points scored against them on turnovers, beaten only by last-placed NT Thunder. On average, Canberra concedes 58 points per match from turnovers, and more than half of their total points against (697 of 1164). It’s an area they need to fix quickly if they want to feature in finals this year.

ROOKIE WATCH

A Canberra Demons player was nominated for the NEAFL Rising star award for the fourth time this year with Jarrod Osborne receiving the nomination last weekend. Osborne was able to step up when Canberra needed him too, with so many injuries to key players. Collecting 30 disposals, five tackles, three clearances, three inside 50s and a goal in their draw last week, Canberra will need him to fire again.

STATS THAT MATTER

Hit-outs are going to be pivotal in this match up, as Redland big man Craig Malone is ranked No.1 for hit-outs this year. Canberra are going to need to nullify Malone’s impact after having a field day last time out against the Demons, racking up 57 hit-outs against Luke Jamieson in his debut game.

PREDICTION

Canberra back on the winners list by 16 points.

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