Heading into Round 9 of NEAFL action the Aspley Hornets sit just one game behind the Brisbane Lions on points, and if Aspley manage a win, they could leapfrog the Brisbane Lions into the top three on percentage with a win. Seven teams are vying for a spot in the top six, meaning this match of the round is the first of many “eight point” fixtures to come in the middle part of the season. The Brisbane Lions pulled off a great escape last week against the GWS GIANTS, stealing a one-point victory in the dying seconds. Of the listed players the Brisbane Lions will miss Josh Schache, Josh Clayton and Tom Cutler.

WHERE AND WHEN

1:30pm, Saturday, 27 May
Graham Road, Carseldine

The match will be live-streamed on the NEAFL YouTube. 

FORM

Aspley (5^th): LLWWW
Brisbane Lions (3^rd): WWLLW

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 18, 2016: Aspley 16.15 (111) d Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) at The Gabba
Round 4, 2016: Aspley 11.7 (73) d Brisbane Lions 9.16 (70) at Graham Road
Round 7, 2015: Aspley 13.16 (94) d Brisbane Lions 9.6 (60) at Graham Road

BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR A BIG BLOKE

Saturday will be the first opportunity for Oscar McInerney to take the reigns as the premier ruckman in the absence of Archie Smith. McInerney has averaged 16 hit-outs per game playing second fiddle to Smith and has been damaging up forward, kicking 10.2 from seven matches. McInerney will have to take on the pairing of NEAFL representative squad member Will Wolbers and the returning Nate Dennis, and will likely shoulder a bulk of the responsibility.

ACCURATE ALEX

Lions fans have been crying out for skilful ball users for years, now Alex Witherden looks like he may be able to answer the call. Witherden boasts the highest disposal efficiency of any NEAFL player to play five or more matches, using the ball at a clinical 88.1%. A hamstring injury saw him out for a few weeks, but 20 disposals in his return game last week against the Giants shows he could be the real deal.

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR… Sam Skinner

After the heartbreak of an ACL tear on the eve of what was supposed to be his AFL debut in July last year, Sam Skinner is back in action following a second knee reconstruction. Skinner had become a vital part of the Lions NEAFL backline before his latest injury, averaging 13 disposals and six marks per game. The 197cm defender taken at #47 in the 2015 National Draft has already shown the quality to be picked in an AFL side, and a successful return to the field could see his name back in the conversation for senior selection in the not too distant future.

TEAM

IN: Tom Bell, Rohan Bewick, Campbell Walker, Luke O’Sullivan, Bailey Lambert, Charlie Pershouse

OUT: Josh Clayton, Josh Schache, Tom Cutler, Jack Clayton, Jack Payne, Connor Ballenden