This Sunday treats us to one of the best matches of the NEAFL season thus far, with the Sydney Swans (3-1) taking on the undefeated Brisbane Lions. There’s plenty on the line in this AFL curtain raiser, with Sydney having the chance to end the weekend as high as 2nd, and Brisbane as high as 1st, given Sydney University’s week off. The Swans will have plenty to prove, given their loss to the Lions in Round 1 at Blacktown. They will want to strike back with a win before the sides meet again in Round 19 up north.
The Brisbane Lions do not need to be asked twice to show up with their best stuff at the SCG this Sunday. For them, the equation’s simple – win, and they’re assured top spot on the ladder. They’ve certainly rung in the reinforcements too, bringing back six AFL talents for the trip to Sydney. Mark this one down as a potential match of the year qualifier.
Check out the full teams here.
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
Round 1, 2017: Brisbane 17.9 (111) d Sydney 12.13 (85) at BISP
Round 19, 2016: Sydney 24.16 (160) d Brisbane 3.7 (25) at BISP
Round 5, 2016: Sydney 20.15 (135) d Brisbane 3.7 (25) at Coorparoo
TALKING POINTS
1. Sydney sprung a surprise this week when they named key forward Kurt Tippett to make his return from injury via the NEAFL this week. Speculation remains as to whether the 203cm and 104kg man mountain will take to the field, but if he does, Tippetts’ abilities both up forward and in the ruck will be a massive boost for the home side.
2. Brisbane’s rise back to a powerhouse of the NEAFL competition this year is remarkable. Not only did they manage only three games last year, but they were smashed by over 100 points in all three contests against the Swans in 2016. Their drought-breaking victory over Sydney in Round – their first over the Swans since the 2013 NEAFL Grand Final – was the perfect way to kick off the season and send a message to the competition they will be a force to be reckoned with.
3. Sydney are also creating their own slice of history this season after winning a first ever match in Darwin against NT Thunder last week. The Swans fielded 10 academy players in the upset win, and this week will add the likes of Harry Marsh, Brandon Jack, Nic Newman, Jame Rose, Michael Talia, and Jordan Foote to their side. Will a mix of confidence and experienced personnel get one back on the Lions? It is sure to go down to the wire.
ROOKIE WATCH
The last time these two sides met in Round 1, Jack Maibaum was one of Sydney’s best in defence. Having missed only 1 NEAFL game since, the Under-18 All-Australian full-back will need to be big again this time around to handle a stacked Brisbane side. His play has been impressive of late – keeping NEAFL Leading Goalkicker Darren Ewing to two majors last week – and is a young Swan on the rise.
STATS THAT MATTER
This weekend, it is exactly four years ago in the first week of May that the Lions last won a NEAFL match at the SCG.
