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Clubs with a Bye
Matt Hammelmann (left) and Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds celebrate a goal. Photo: Highflyer Images.
NEAFL ROUND 11
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Redland Bombers (8th) v GIANTS (4th)
Jack Esplen Oval, 11.30am
SUMMARY
NEAFL footy returns to Jack Esplen Oval this week when
Redland hosts the GIANTS in the inner Brisbane suburb of Morningside on
Saturday.
The Bombers, sitting 2-7 at the halfway mark of the season,
have experienced great highs and disappointing lows this year as they battle to
find a level of consistency to put them in the mix for a top six spot. Coming
off a disheartening 36-point loss to Aspley last week – a week after an
inspired 21-point win against NT Thunder in Darwin – Redland need to pounce against
a weakened GIANTS side and produce a team performance.
Meanwhile, the GIANTS are cruising in fourth after a dominant
month or so of footy, winning four of their last five and knocking off arch rivals
Sydney last week by 25 points in a hard-fought victory. But a few key outs will
test the club’s depth, leaving its young brigade to step up and get the job done
this week.
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
Round 8, 2018: GIANTS 18.16 (124) d Redland 8.11 (59) at GIANTS
Stadium
Round 10, 2017: Redland 14.14 (98) d GIANTS 7.10 (52) at GIANTS Stadium
Round 20, 2016: GIANTS 26.18 (174) d Redland 3.6 (34) at GIANTS Stadium
TALKING POINTS
1. The GIANTS were hit hard at the selection table this week
with four AFL-listed players - Aiden Bonar, Xavier O'Halloran, Lachlan Keeffe and
Dylan Buckley all ruled out with injury, with defender Jake Stein handed a
well-deserved AFL debut. It means the GIANTS will be down to around 11 listed
players this week, giving Redland a big opportunity to push a top-four side.
2. If the Bombers are to cause an upset victory, they simply need
to match their opposition in contested football. Ranked last in the competition
for contested possessions, the Bombers only have three players – Jack Rolls
(currently injured), young midfielder Caleb Franks and ruckman Craig Malone – who
average 10 or more contested possessions per game.
3. NEAFL returns to Jack Esplen Oval for the first time in
six years this week, and it is the perfect setting for Redland to try and turn their
season around against quality AFL opposition. The home of former NEAFL club
Morningside Panthers, the two clubs have a shared history with the likes of
captain Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds, star forward Matt Hammelmann, defender Peter
Yagmoor and young gun Ryan Dadds all coming through the ranks at Morningside
before ending up at Redland. A touch of nostalgia and a supportive crowd may
very well inspire the Bombers.
ROOKIE WATCH
GIANTS midfielder Jackson Hately will be one to watch this
week if he isn’t elevated to the AFL side. The 18-year-old is building some
impressive form in the NEAFL of late. In his past three matches, Hately has
averaged 30 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles to be one of the
leading contributors in the GIANTS’ climb up the ladder
STATS THAT MATTER
It’s a battle of the rucks this week between GIANTS’ Dawson
Simpson and Redland’s Craig Malone. The duo sit first and second in the
competition for hit-outs (Malone averages 52 to Simpson’s 41 per game) and hit-outs
to advantage (Simpson averages 11.6 to Malone’s 11.3).
PREDICTION
GIANTS by 15 points.
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