Brisbane Lions (2nd) v Redland Bombers (9th) at the Gabba, 1pm
This match will be streamed live on NEAFL TV

A Sunday afternoon clash between the Brisbane Lions and the Redland Bombers at the Gabba will close out Round 17 NEAFL action this week. The Brisbane Lions are perched nicely in second place and Redland are lurking down near the bottom with only a few rounds left. The sides met under very similar circumstances earlier this year, with Redland yet to win a game, and Brisbane were expected to have a big win. An inspired Redland outfit provided one of the upsets of the year and outplayed the Lions in front of the Bombers’ large home crowd.

After a solid effort against the Suns at Metricon Stadium last week, Redland will confident of upsetting the Lions again. The Bombers were very impressive last week, especially in the first quarter. The Bombers led the Gold Coast Suns by 25 points at quarter-time, but a phenomenal second and fourth quarter from the Suns saw the final margin creep up to 77 points. The Bombers are out of reach of the top six and have an extremely hard run home, but will be trying to finish the season on a high.

The Lions will back in front of their home crowd at the Gabba for the first time this year. Brisbane will be an imposing challenge, with the Lions having the bye last week. Brisbane are now on an eight-game winning streak, winning every game since that loss to the Bombers. With finals just around the corner, they will be making sure that what happened back in Round 7 doesn’t happen again.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 7, 2017: Redland 17.15 (117) d Brisbane Lions 16.8 (104) at Tidbold Park
Round 12, 2016: Brisbane Lions 7.12 (54) d Redland 7.11 (53) at the Gabba
Round 2, 2016: Redland 16.11 (107) d Brisbane Lions 5.10 (40) at Tidbold Park

TALKING POINTS

1. Redland stunned the Gold Coast last week, kicking five unanswered goals in the first quarter. In Round 7, the Bombers also stunned the Lions kicking 6.8 to 1.1 in the first quarter. The Brisbane Lions also know how to win first quarters though, taking a 40-point lead to quarter -time in their last match.

2. Redland is the No.1 team in the competition for tackling, averaging 76 tackles a game. The Lions are seventh in the completion for tackles averaging 64 tackles a game. Earlier this year, Redland laid 81 tackles to Brisbane’s 68 tackles and was one of the main reasons they were able to win.

3. In their last match before having the bye, Brisbane were lead on the scoreboard with Josh Schache kicking five goals. The Lions will be without Schache’s services because of his promotion to the senior team. Brisbane still have plenty other avenues to goal though, with Michael Close, Jono Freeman and Matt Hammelmann making it extremely hard for defenders.

ROOKIE WATCH

Luke O’Sullivan has had the unusual opportunity of playing for both of these teams during the year. The Mt Gravatt junior has enjoyed a more consistent year in the NEAFL after rebounding from injury setback last year. The 19-year old has played 10 games in the NEAFL this year, five at each club and has shown a lot of promise.

STATS THAT MATTER

The Brisbane Lions are ranked No.1 in the competition for number of kicks and kicking efficiency, but when played Redland in Round 7, the Bombers had more kicks and at a higher efficiency than the Lions.

TEAM

*Final team make up TBC following the naming of the Lions AFL side.

In: 26. Tom Cutler 40. Matt Hammelmann 44. Archie Smith 8. Rohan Bewick 2. Ryan Harwood 17. Claye Beams

Out: 53. Campbell Walker (omitted) 54. Luke O’Sullivan (omitted) 55. Ben Sloan (omitted) 23. Josh Schache (AFL) 1. Ben Keays (AFL) 47. Reuben William (rested)