SUMMARY

Sydney University go head to head with the Brisbane Lions this week in a battle certainly worth watching. The Students have dropped to third on the ladder after their 42-point defeat last week against Sydney, eclipsed by a red-hot Brisbane Lions outfit with a near full-strength list.

The Lions lost midfielder Tom Bell to a serious leg injury last week, however with the likes of Liam Dawson, Jono Freeman and Matt Hammelmann – who booted 14 goals between them against the GIANTS last week – Brisbane brings a wealth of forward strength and goal kicking power to Henson Park.

Both sides have only met twice over the past two years with the Students winning both games at Blacktown. This year, however, the Lions have had an outstanding first half of the season and will be confident of registering a first ever win against Sydney University.

Saturday, July 1, 2017
Sydney University (3rd) v Brisbane Lions (2nd) at Blacktown, 11.30am

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 7, 2016: Sydney University 17.12 (114) d Brisbane Lions 17.2(104) at BISP
Round 15, 2015: Sydney University 16.7 (103) d Brisbane Lions 8.12(60) at BISP

TALKING POINTS

1. Confidence is key for the Students. In their two losses this season – both against Sydney – costly lapses in the match has proved their undoing. If they can stay composed and strong throughout all four quarters – and get maximum performances from a young backline including the likes of recent Rising Star nominee Ryan Hebron and fellow NEAFL representatives Darcy Baron-Hay and Nathan Cooper – it will go along way to a morale-boosting victory.

2. The Lions have ensured the race for a top two finish is not over. While Sydney and Sydney University burst out of the blocks, the Lions have never been far away. A win for Brisbane will keep them four points behind Sydney (proving they beat Canberra) while opening up a four-point gap over third-placed Students. If Sydney University were to win, they would be back in outright second. A loss will close the gap ahead of fourth to just two games. With a week off and a home Preliminary Final on the line, this will be a big step for either side towards cementing a top two finish.

3. While the Lions will showcase their AFL talent, this is another big test for Sydney University to show if they’ve got what it takes to win this year’s premiership. Their young brigade are in terrific form, but the Students will need to have big matches from their senior players, including Lewis Stevenson, Tom Young, Sam Tagliabue, Zac O’Brien, Jacob Derickx, Tim Barton and Will Sierakowski to get over the line. Expect big things from this match!

ROOKIE WATCH

Brisbane Lions defender Sam Skinner is edging closer and closer to a long-awaited AFL debut. The 20-year-old was cruelly denied his first AFL game last year when he tore his ACL at training on the Thursday before the match. Since returning to the NEAFL four weeks ago, Skinner has averaged 14 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency per match, plus seven marks and three rebound 50s. Another strong performance against a powerful Sydney University forward line this week is sure to have him knocking on the door of a senior berth.

STATS THAT MATTER

Brisbane are the strongest marking side in the NEAFL at present. The Lions have the highest average marks (117 per match) and contested marks (11.5 per match), while Sydney University are ranked sixth and seventh respectively. Brisbane have three players with a higher contested mark average – Josh Walker, Oscar McInerney, and Michael Close – than the Students best in that category, Xavier Richards.

TEAM

*Note: NEAFL team has yet to be updated following the naming of the Lions AFL team.