MATCH PREVIEW: GIANTS v Brisbane

NEAFL ROUND 14

Sunday, July 7, 2019
GIANTS (4th) v Brisbane Lions (1st)
GIANTS Stadium, 1pm

SUMMARY

Another challenger will step up to the plate this week to tackle the might of Brisbane as the Lions head to Sydney to face the GIANTS on home turf.

The Lions’ well-oiled machine claimed another victim last week when 20 AFL-listed players took down the Bombers by 97 points.

Brisbane are well placed to continue its undefeated season, naming another full-strength side to battle the GIANTS, who lost some key players to injury this week.

It will be a tough challenge for the hosts, but with a top four spot on the line they’ll leave nothing on the field in the hopes of an upset victory.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 8, 2019: Brisbane 17.9 (111) d GIANTS 10.9 (69) at Maroochydore
Round 2, 2019: Brisbane 18.22 (130) d GIANTS 5.5 (35) at Burpengary
Round 21, 2018: Brisbane 19.11 (125) d GIANTS 3.6 (24) at BISP

TALKING POINTS

1. A key talking point for not only this match, but the whole season, is the strength of Brisbane’s injury list. Only three players – Oscar McInerney (concussion), Tom Cutler (foot) and Connor Ballenden (ankle) are currently on the list, but all are due back in a week. Brisbane has named a full side of AFL-players this week in what is a remarkable position for the club to be in, having done an excellent job to keep so many players in healthy condition.

2. Isaac Cumming, Jack Buckley and Tommy Sheridan have all succumbed to injury this week in what is a major blow to the GIANTS. In positive news, young gun Jye Caldwell will return to the field from a calf injury, and he’ll be keen to dust off the cobwebs and put on a strong showing against a quality outfit to press his claims for an AFL recall.

3. There are winners all over the ground for Brisbane of late as the coaching staff looks to hone in on its best 22 in the run towards the finals, but the Lions must also be happy with the development of some of its more inexperienced contingent. Irish recruit James Madden has his best game last week with a career-high five goals, after recently switching to a forward role. Connor McFadyen, Tom Berry and Tom Fullarton are some other names for Lions fans to keep an eye on in the NEAFL. The future certainly looks bright for the club.

ROOKIE WATCH

The GIANTS already have three Rising Star nominees this year, with two of them named to play on Sunday, but will a fourth nominee be in the mix? Youngster Lachlan Squire has built some impressive form of late, averaging 17 disposals, five clearances, six tackles and four inside 50s per game in the NEAFL.

STATS THAT MATTER

The GIANTS haven’t got a good track record against Brisbane in recent times. Since playing out a draw last year, they’ve lost their past four matches against the Lions by an average of 85 points.

PREDICTION

Brisbane by 30 points.

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