NEAFL ROUND 21
Saturday, August 19, 2017
GIANTS (10th) v Brisbane Lions (2nd) at Spotless Stadium, 12.55pm

Hasn’t this season flown by… it’s the last week of the regular season and we see second-placed Brisbane Lions travel to Spotless Stadium to challenge the GWS GIANTS who are sitting last on the ladder, but with an impressive line-up this week.

It has been a whirlwind season for both teams which saw the reigning premiership team succumb to the heated NEAFL pressure from the other teams, while also struggling with a heavy injury toll, but they find some reprieve this weekend.

While it has been the opposite for the Lions, they have produced consistent football for most of the season, despite a seven-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns last weekend at the Gabba. This week they look to finish the season on a high before finals and secure a home Preliminary Final. The Lions form over the weeks has been superb, especially after they ended the Swans 17-game winning streak.

The match will be live-streamed below:

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 13, 2017: Brisbane 22.15 (147) d Giants 7.9 (51) at SPSC
Round 8, 2017: Brisbane 11.12 (78) d Giants 11.11 (77) at Spotless Stadium

TALKING POINTS

1. While it hasn’t been all bells and whistles for the GIANTS this season, they’ve named a season-high 16 AFL-listed players to face Brisbane this week, well above their average of just nine this year. Given it’s their final match this season – and the last chance for players to push for AFL section in match scenario – expect the GIANTS to give the Lions a real shake.

2. The last time these two teams met at Spotless, the GIANTS kept the Lions on their feet until the last minute of the game. Scores were level at the 28-minute mark of the final term when Josh Schache booted his first goal of the game, before a rushed behind moments later sealed a thrilling one-point win. Will we see another classic at Spotless?

3. We know Matt Flynn can take a mark, after winning Mark of the Year in 2016, and his ability to stop potential goals down in his defence is outstanding. Flynn needs to be mindful of the Lions forwards (Matt Hammelmann, Josh Clayton, Josh Schache) this week as the Lions led the competition for goals per inside 50 – averaging three inside 50s per goal.

STATS THAT MATTER

Despite their ladder position, the GIANTS win their fair share of clearances. They average 37.3 per match – only slightly behind the Lions with 38.7. Expect the midfield battle to play a key role in who wins this contest.

TEAM

*Final team to be confirmed after the Lions Senior team is finalised.