MATCH PREVIEW: Aspley v Southport

NEAFL ROUND 2

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Aspley Hornets (8th) v Southport Sharks (2nd)

Voxson Oval, 2.45pm

SUMMARY

A rematch of last year’s Preliminary Final unfolds at Voxson Oval on Saturday in a contest which throws in the added twist of a long-held record and contrasting opening round form.

Aspley and Southport’s Round 2 blockbuster comes after the Hornets’ dismal Round 1 performance against Sydney University in last week, and the defending premier cruising past Redland at home.

It was the Sharks who ended Aspley’s run towards the Grand Final last year after a season where the Hornets beat them twice in the minor rounds.

The Hornets will be confident of defending an impressive record against Southport on their home deck, but the Sharks won’t go down without a fight in an early season grudge match not to be missed.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Preliminary Final, 2018: Southport 11.15 (81) d Aspley 6.8 (44) at Fankhauser Reserve.

Round 19, 2018: Aspley 11.13 (79) d Southport 8.8 (56) at Voxson Oval.

Round 15, 2018: Aspley 11.11 (77) d Southport 9.18 (72) at Voxson Oval.

TALKING POINTS

1. It wasn’t the start new coach Daniel Webster would have liked from his players last Saturday, where they were outplayed from start to finish in a 47-point loss to a side they were expected to beat in Sydney University. It was an off-day for many of Aspley’s experienced players, with 64 of the Students’ 107 points coming from turnovers. It will be a match they would want to forget quickly ahead of a tough challenge against the Sharks.

2. On the other side of the ledger, Southport proved it hasn’t lost any of its class this year with a sublime display against the Bombers to kick off its title defence. New recruits Matt Shaw (29 disposals), Jamison Shea (22 disposals, 10 marks, 3 goals), and Josh Williams (15 disposals, 6 inside 50s) had an immediate impact, and the usual suspects of Tyler Roos, Michael Manteit and Andrew Boston found plenty of the footy. No signs of a premiership hangover just yet.

3. An intriguing subplot to this contest is how Southport’s famed running game can adapt to the smaller oval at Aspley. The Sharks had 13 running bounces last week – the most of any side in Round 1 – and loved to burn opposition sides by using space to their advantage. Defensive pressure is key to Aspley’s fortunes this week to limit the Sharks’ forays into attack.

ROOKIE WATCH

Southport may have found a gem in Jamison Shea. Recruited from Footscray in the VFL, Shea was impressive in the practice matches and was among Southport’s best players in their victory last week. A product of the Northern Knights, Shea has built some VFL experience over the past two seasons and has made the move north with the intention of making his mark.

STATS THAT MATTER

It has been 2093 days since Southport last won at Aspley’s home ground. The Sharks have lost eight straight matches since last beating the Hornets at Voxson Oval (formerly Graham Rd) in Round 6, 2012.

PREDICTION

Southport by 3 points.