MATCH PREVIEW: Southport v Brisbane

NEAFL ROUND 18

Saturday, August 3, 2019
Southport Sharks (2nd) v Brisbane Lions (1st)
Fankhauser Reserve, 1:30pm

SUMMARY

A top-two battle awaits this weekend in a match we've been waiting all season to witness. If Brisbane are going to be brought to a halt in their reign of 2019, it’s going to be this week.

The Lions are on track to make NEAFL history, after equalling the record for the longest winning streak last week, while the Sharks sit a game clear in second spot, with two strong away wins fresh in their memory.

Can the reigning premier Southport end the Lions’ undefeated season, or will Brisbane’s experience and class prove too great? We can’t wait to find out.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 14, 2018: Southport 7.18 (60) defeated Brisbane 8.10 (58) at Fankhauser Reserve
Round 12, 2017: Brisbane 27.13 (175) defeated Southport 4.1 (25) at Fankhauser Reserve
Round 3, 2017: Brisbane 14.19 (103) defeated Southport 6.8 (44) at South Pine

TALKING POINTS

1. Key Brisbane midfielders Ryan Bastinac and Corey Lyons are in the NEAFL form of their lives at the moment. In arguably their toughest match of the year last week against the Swans, the devastating duo shined. Bastinac gathered a massive 41 disposals with eight tackles and a pair of goals, while Lyons has averaged 39 disposals over the past two weeks, with six inside 50s and two goals against the Swans.

2. Sharks fans have been stressed to the end over the past fortnight, with Southport’s recent wins over Redland and Canberra decided by margins of three and nine points respectively. While an away from home victory is always a strong performance, the Sharks will have to bring their A-game to compete with the rampaging Lions.

3. At Fankhauser Reserve in 2018, the Lions fell to Southport by two points, and the black-and-white have won eight of their previous 10 matches at their home ground. The Sharks thrive in front of their steadfast fanbase, and a top-of-the-table clash mixed with the chance to rain on the Brisbane parade is sure to bring the fans out en masse.

ROOKIE WATCH

Electric Sharks defender Kwaby Boakye was named one of Southport’s best against Canberra last week with 17 disposals and five marks playing along the back line. The 20-year-old has the versatility to play forward, and at 188cm, Boakye has all the hallmarks of an excitement machine already.

STATS THAT MATTER

The Lions’ dominance in 2019 cannot be understated. Of the roughly 1,680 minutes of football Brisbane has played this season, they have trailed for a total of 40 minutes and five seconds this season. Total. In only four of the Lions’ 14 matches this year have the Lions trailed for even a second.

The Swans proved their biggest challenge in Round 17, with Sydney leading for almost 15 minutes through the first half, with a maximum lead of 13 points.

PREDICTION

Lions to go 15-0 in a thriller. Brisbane by 6.

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