MATCH PREVIEW: Lions v Swans

NEAFL ROUND 9

Saturday, June 1, 2019
Brisbane Lions (1st) v Sydney Swans (2nd)
South Pine Sports Complex, 12pm

SUMMARY

What an encounter on our hands for Round 9 with the top of the ladder Brisbane Lions taking on the second place Sydney Swans this weekend.

The Lions have conquered all in their travels on the way to the top of the table, sitting 7-0 with a healthy percentage. However, last weekend against the GIANTS we saw the Lions work to take the four points after the game was tied at half time. The class of the Lions was on show with a gritty second half performance to emerge as 42-point victors.

For the Swans it was business as usual accounting for the SUNS last week. Despite only two majors in it at half time, the Swans - led by Daniel Menzel with five goals - kicked on in the second half to finish 58 point winners and set up a blockbuster contest against the Lions.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 5, 2019: Brisbane 14.17 (101) def. Sydney 4.10 (34) at South Pine Sports Complex
Round 18, 2018: Brisbane 18.8 (116) def. Sydney 8.7 (55) at SCG
Round 13, 2018: Sydney 12.8 (80) def. Brisbane 7.9 (51) at Blacktown International Sportspark

TALKING POINTS

1. How good are the Lions this year, unbeaten after nine rounds with an average margin of victory of 68 points. The Lions are firing on all cylinders and by all accounts look the team to beat so far this year with a healthy injury list paying dividends. They have accounted for the Swans by 67 points already this year but expect Sydney coach Jeremy Laidler to be much further prepared this time around.
2. Both the Swans and Lions senior teams went down on the weekend with plenty of names pushing their case for selection. Already a few players received the call-up this week from the NEAFL, so expect plenty more to put on a strong showing on the big stage to press their claim.
3. How will the Swans react after their 11-goal loss at the hands of the Lions in Round 5? Outside of this game, where Brisbane had 21 listed players against 14, the Swans have been close to perfect this season. The addition of Jackson Thurlow, Cody Hirst and Michael Knoll will help Sydney’s cause.

ROOKIE WATCH

James Rowbottom again lit up the match against the SUNS last weekend finishing with 31 disposals and 12 tackles and 10 clearances. The first year rookie has been on fire at NEAFL level this year is currently joint leader of the NEAFL MVP Award.

STATS THAT MATTER

These two teams are the leading contested possession getters in the competition, with the Lions leading the category. Rowbottom and James Rose, however, are among the individual leaders, averaging 17 and14 contested possessions per game respectively.

PREDICTION
Lions to be too strong on the day, Brisbane by 30.

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