MATCH PREVIEW: Southport v Redland

NEAFL ROUND 1

Saturday, April 6, 2019

Southport Sharks v Redland Bombers

Fankhauser Reserve, 1.30pm

SUMMARY

Reigning premier Southport will be keen to start this season as strongly as it ended the last one, while the bottom-placed Bombers will be looking to pull an upset in what should be a fascinating contest.

Both sides have something to prove early in the season, as the Sharks aim to go back-to-back, whilst Redland seek to deliver on the promises of improvement throughout the off-season.

Southport are the easy tip for this match, considering both sides’ recent form, however fans will be especially intrigued by the performances of their new players, namely Southport’s Matt Shaw (Carlton), Mackenzie Willis (Gold Coast), and Josh Williams (North Melbourne) and Redland’s Matt McGannon (Fish Creek/Gippsland Power), Cameron Spence (Camperdown) and returning playing-coach Phil Carse.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 21, 2018: Southport 21.7 (133) d Redland 4.11 (35) at Fankhauser Reserve

Round 11, 2018: Southport 15.15 (105) d Redland 13.5 (83) at Scottsdale Park

Round 1, 2018: Southport 13.10 (88) d Redland 10.6 (66) at Scottsdale Park

TALKING POINTS

1. Southport went undefeated in its two practice matches, including a four-goal victory over the Bombers at Fankhauser Reserve and an away win over Aspley. Redland on the other hand have suffered three losses in their trial runs, with 112- and 83-point losses to Brisbane and Aspley respectively. Redland used these matches to experiment with its relatively new squad and game plan in their bid to surge upwards in 2019.

2. With 2018 premiership stars Josh Clayton and Brenton Payne relocated, and Grand Final hero Tom Wilkinson drafted to North Melbourne, the Sharks have lost not only some real star power on-field, but a strong contingent to lead off-field. The additions of former AFL-listed trio Shaw, Willis and Williams should help ease this transition for the Sharks, but Round 1 will put the side’s ability to adapt to the test.

3. Returning Redland playing coach, and former Camperdown coach Phil Carse, has brought with him a couple of handy players from the league he spent the past four years coaching in. Cameron Spence and Ben Cunnington (both Camperdown ) have plenty to offer the Bombers, and the club will also be excited for the debut of 19-year-old gun Matt McGannon, who made the TAC Cup Team of the Year last year before being signed by the Bombers.

ROOKIE WATCH

Southport’s recruited trio of Kwaby Boakye and Emmanuel Baru are exciting prospects for the Sharks and will be pushing their cases for Round 1 selection. Previously representing the Gold Coast at NEAFL level, all three can bring some energy and excitement to Fankhauser reserve. Similarly, McGannon is well-placed to contend for the NEAFL Rising Star Award and should be in-line to make his mark on the NEAFL in Round 1.

STATS THAT MATTER

Redland hasn’t won at Fankhauser Reserve since Round 11, 2015, when the beat the Sharks in a thriller by eight points.

PREDICTION

The Sharks at Southport will be a tricky match for any opposition, and the Bombers won’t have the fire power to match the reigning premiers. Sharks by 30.