MATCH PREVIEW: Brisbane v GIANTS

NEAFL ROUND 8

Saturday, May 25, 2019
Brisbane Lions (1st) v GIANTS (5th)
Maroochydore Multisports Complex, 11.30am

SUMMARY

Fresh off a stunning win against undefeated reigning premiers Southport, the GIANTS will have plenty of confidence in their strong list to take on the dominant Brisbane Lions.

The firepower of the Brisbane Lions sees them sit undefeated and first on the NEAFL ladder, winning every match by at least eight goals.

The sides met in Round 2 at Burpengary, where Brisbane’s 21 listed players gave the GIANTS’ 17 listed players a 95-point thrashing. Both clubs have reason to be optimistic ahead of this weekend, and it is set to be an enthralling contest.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 2, 2019: Brisbane 18.22 (130) defeated GIANTS 5.5 (35) at Burpengary
Round 21, 2018: Brisbane 19.11 (125) defeated GIANTS 3.6 (24) at BISP
Round 16, 2018: Brisbane 14.15 (99) drew GIANTS 14.15 (99) at the Gabba

TALKING POINTS

1. Brisbane Lions senior coach Chris Fagan has proven early in this year his willingness to give star NEAFL performers opportunities at the top level in handing both Noah Answerth and Mitch Hinge their AFL debuts over the past month. If this isn’t motivation for guys like Ben Keays, Corey Lyons, and Toby Wooller to continue their stellar form this weekend against a strong GIANTS side then nothing will be.

2. Similar to the Lions, Leon Cameron stated on Tuesday how there were “probably seven or eight pushing for a spot,” in the GWS senior side. The GIANTs’ superb first-to-third-year quintet of Nick Shipley, Jye Caldwell, Aiden Bonar, Isaac Cumming and Jackson Hately likely feature among those seven or eight, all producing quality performances in their win over the Sharks. Senior football is in sight for these young GIANTS, and a strong showing against the Lions could be the difference.

3. The GIANTS and Lions have the most senior-listed players in their NEAFL sides than any of the other AFL-affiliate sides. The GIANTS boasted 19 listed players in Round 7, while 21 listed players ran onfield for the Lions in Round 6. The Lions will lose 2018 first-round pick Ely Smith this weekend to injury, but will regain second-year midfielder Brandon Starcevich following a number of weeks on the sideline.

ROOKIE WATCH

GIANTS Academy member James Peatling was awarded the Round 7 NEAFL Rising Star nomination following his 24-disposal, five-mark outing against the Southport Sharks. The 18-year-old has averaged 17 touches (half of them contested) as well as three clearances in his three appearances at NEAFL level this year. The inventive outside runner has been selected in the Allies squad ahead of this year’s under 18 carnival and looks closer and closer to a nod on draft night with every match.

STATS THAT MATTER

Though they find themselves inside the top six, the GIANTS are the third-lowest scoring team this NEAFL season with 438 points across the first six rounds, ahead of only Canberra (422) and the Thunder (406). Conversely, the Lions have amassed a mammoth 757 points, and have conceded only 296, giving Brisbane a percentage (255.74) double that of the next placed side. The GIANTS certainly have their work cut out for them, trying to stop Brisbane’s elite scoring, as well as trying to penetrate the league’s strongest defence.

PREDICTION

Lions by 18.

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