MATCH PREVIEW: GIANTS v Aspley

NEAFL ROUND 16

Saturday, July 20, 2019
GIANTS (4th) v Aspley Hornets (5th)
GIANTS Stadium, 12:55pm

SUMMARY

We will be witness to another cracking contest in this week’s Round 16 clash when the fourth-placed GIANTS come face-to-face with fifth-placed Aspley at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday.

With both teams yet to meet in this year’s campaign it will be hard to predict the games fate. Both teams have had their fair share of impressive wins and disappointing losses, so you can expect both sides to throw everything at each other.

Coming into the pointy end of the season there is a lot riding on this match, with both teams looking to secure their position in the top four where a win can push them further towards their finals goals.

With the GIANTS at home it will be a tough battle for the Hornets, who will have to produce a four quarter effort for the chance to down their rivals and make it six wins in a row. First bounce will be at 12:55pm.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 13, 2018: GIANTS 15.10 (100) def. Aspley 8.12 (60) at GIANTS Stadium
Round 7, 2017: Aspley 19.15 (129) def. GIANTS 8.10 (58) at BISP
Round 9, 2016: Aspley 16.12 (108) def. GIANTS 11.12 (78) at Voxson Oval

TALKING POINTS

1. The GIANTS have produced three NEAFL Rising Star nominees for the first time in a single season this year, with all three – Harry Grant, James Peatling and Tom Green – playing a key role in their big win over NT Thunder in Darwin last week. The GIANTS side has a range of quality young players coming through the ranks which gives them added depth as well as developing a strong union and culture for the years to come. Expect these young guns to make their mark again this weekend.

2. With the Hornets coming off five consecutive wins they are looking to be a large threat entering the second half of the season. With a slow start to their season the Hornets have finally found their feet in this year’s campaign and are known to have a strong run home. Downing the second placed Sharks by 26 points in Round 14, the Hornets should have the confidence to claim another scalp to give themselves a chance at a top two finish.

3. The GIANTS injury concerns at AFL and NEAFL level will play a role this week with a few changes expected to be made to the side which beat NT Thunder last week. Matt Flynn’s season-ending ACL injury is a cruel blow to the side, and Zac Langdon’s season also looks over after surgery on his ankle last week. However, defender Lachlan Keeffe (hand) is listed a test and Dylan and Jack Buckley might also be a chance to return this week, which would be a welcome boost to the club’s depth.

ROOKIE WATCH

Round 11 NEAFL Rising Star Nominee Harry Grant will be looking to keep rising up through the ranks in this week’s Round 16 clash after an impressive performance last week where he picked up 17 disposals and booted four goals to be named among the GIANTS’ best. This 18-year-old midfielder is playing way above his years and will be the one to keep an eye on in the season’s to come.

STATS THAT MATTER

Aspley hasn’t traditionally been known for its scoring power in recent seasons, but it is fast becoming the side’s strength. The Hornets are ranked second in the competition behind Brisbane for average goals scored per game (12.9) this year. But it is their accuracy and conversion which lets them down, averaging 4.2 inside 50s per goal (ranked fifth in the competition) and a scoring accuracy of 55% (ranked seventh). They’ll need to make the most of their opportunities against the GIANTS this week.

PREDICTION

The GIANTS will be hard to beat at home. GIANTS by 13 points.

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