MATCH PREVIEW: Gold Coast v Redland

NEAFL ROUND 14

Saturday, July 6, 2019
Gold Coast SUNS (7th) v Redland Bombers (9th)
Metricon Stadium, 10:15am

SUMMARY

Gold Coast and Redland face off for the first time in 2019 and there is plenty of interest around the matchup.

For both teams the match will be a massive indicator as to where their season stands. Redland is recovering from a big loss to the ladder leaders in Brisbane last week but have played good periods of football this year, highlighted by them matching the Lions up until half time last week.

Gold Coast have has come alive in their last two games, beating second (Southport) and third (Sydney) on the ladder to breathe life into their season, now just sitting outside the top six on percentage after beating the Swans by 28 points last week in Sydney.

For Redland, the side will be keen to celebrate skipper Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds' 100th NEAFL match with an upset victory.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 13, 2018: Gold Coast 15.11 (101) def. Redland 10.14 (74) at Metricon Stadium
Round 16, 2017: Gold Coast 21.15 (141) def. Redland 10.4 (64) at Metricon Stadium
Round 2, 2017: Gold Coast 23.14 (152) def. Redland 9.6 (60) at Ern Dowling Oval

TALKING POINTS

1. The Gold Coast SUNS have picked up two massive scalps in the last fortnight defeating second-placed Southport and third-placed Sydney both away from home. A return back to Metricon this week with their recent form in mind would have them favourites for the match to the common eye.

2. Redland were on the verge of a real statement match last weekend against the Lions. The Bombers were within two goals of Brisbane at the half time interval and largely dominated the first 20 minutes of the first quarter, but had little return on the scoreboard. The Lions class and strength of 20 AFL-listed players came to the fore in the second half, however, and the result was taken beyond the Bombers. If the Redland can take their first half performance from last week and translate it to four quarters of football, we could well have an upset on the cards.

3. The SUNS victory over the weekend said a lot about their team. Despite being down at half time they recorded an eight-goal-to-one third term which paved the way for victory. The usual suspects of George Horlin-Smith, Jacob Dawson and Aaron Young were prolific in the midfield, Josh Corbett booted six goals while the defensive effort from the SUNS to contain Daniel Menzel shows that they are playing some good football as we come into the crunch period of the year.

ROOKIE WATCH

SUNS draftee Izak Rankine made his NEAFL debut last weekend and had 10 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal in his first game back from a hamstring injury, of which he played limited minutes. One would imagine the No.3 AFL Draft pick’s minutes will increase this week and watch for him to dominate in the match.

STATS THAT MATTER

Redland’s dismal first quarter in front of goals last weekend which saw the Bombers kick 0.8 in the first quarter brings an interesting statistical focus with it. Despite sitting ninth on the ladder, Redland sits fourth in the competition for goals scored whilst also sitting third in behinds for the competition. This is largely due to the fact that Redland boasts the services of Matt Hammelmann that their attacking stats are so high despite their record in 2019. Redland’s scoring accuracy so far in 2019 ranks at 54.9%, the third worst scoring accuracy in the competition. Their two victories for the season against NT Thunder and Canberra saw the Bombers kicking at 70% and 69% respectfully, showing that the key to the Bombers may well come in the form of their accuracy in front of the big sticks.

PREDICTION

SUNS playing some good football at the moment, Gold Coast by 30

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