NEAFL ROUND 3
Brisbane Lions v Aspley Hornets
Friday, 19 April from 1:30pm
Voxson Oval, Carseldine

Click here to live-stream on NEAFL Youtube Channel on Friday and stay tuned on the Lions NEAFL Twitter account for score updates.

After two convincing wins to open the season, the Brisbane Lions will be looking to make it 3 from 3 when they take on the Aspley Hornets at Voxson Oval on Good Friday in Round 3 of the season. 

The Aspley Hornets face a challenge this week as they come up against the 2-0 Brisbane Lions, who will arrive at Voxson Oval full of confidence following 65-point and 95-point wins against the Thunder and GIANTS respectively.

Development Coach Paul Henriksen said the team’s contest work was outstanding, as well as their attitude.

“You can play NEAFL and be happy with that but you need to play the footy that the AFL guys want and AFL coaches want to see,” he told lions.com.au.

“The ability to actually play at AFL standard, that’s what we always drive with our NEAFL guys.

“Make sure you are playing at an AFL standard, that’s the vital goal for every game we go into.”

Corey Lyons and Toby Wooller both stepped up with more than 30 disposals for the afternoon in Round 2's clash against the Giants, whilst Ben Keays had a career best six goals, with three kicked in the first quarter.

Ben Keays’ six goals in Round 2 was the highlight for the Lions, who resisted changing their AFL side this week. Mitch Hahn’s men will not only be hungry to continue an undefeated start to the season, but for the 18+ AFL-listed players expected to take to the field, they’ll be keen to impress to put their names forward for AFL selection.

NEAFL TEAM

IN: Lewy Taylor, Tom Joyce
OUT: Cedric Cox (Family reasons), Justin Currie (Omitted), Ethan Hunt (Omitted)

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Elimination Final, 2018: Aspley 14.18 (102) d Brisbane 7.12 (54) at Voxson Oval
Round 9, 2018: Aspley 9.11 (65) d Brisbane 6.10 (46) at Maroochydore
Round 15, 2017: Brisbane 25.16 (166) d Aspley 6.9 (45) at Voxson Oval

TALKING POINTS

1. Hornets co-captain Jackson Allen will play his 100th game on Friday. The strong defender started his 2019 in fine fashion, with 24 disposals, five tackles, four marks and 12 rebound 50s in Round 1 before he was unavailable last week. With the Lions sporting a potent forward line, featuring AFL seasoned targets such as Lewis Taylor, Tom Cutler and Ben Keays, a big game from the milestone man will be crucial for Aspley’s chances in this match.

2. The Lions visited Voxson Oval in a practice match this year, with the Hornets enduring a 43-point loss. However, neither side will read too far into this result, nor should they. Veteran Brisbane big man Stef Martin dominating the ruck contest in his comeback from injury, and Aspley playing without stars like Matt Payne and Jake Spencer.

3 Aspley faces an arduous task this week, with at least 18 AFL-listed players expected to take to the field for Brisbane. But they should take confidence from last year’s two wins over the Lions, where they fielded 16 AFL-listed players in both Round 9 and the Elimination Final at Voxson Oval. Whilst history will show the Lions should win – and win comfortably – the Hornets will relish the challenge.

ROOKIE WATCH
Lions Academy player Keidean Coleman is doing all the right things to make his AFL dreams a reality. In a career-best game against the GIANTS in Round 2, 19-year-old Coleman won 24 possessions, 12 marks, seven inside 50 and snagged himself a goal. Playing amongst 18 AFL-listed players, Coleman has become a regular starter in the back-pocket and is one to watch this weekend and beyond.

STATS THAT MATTER
Hornets rucking duo have been stand outs in their sides’ two losses. Jake Spencer and Will Wolbers have combined to win 110 hit-outs and concede only 48. The Lions ruck trio featuring Sam Skinner, Tom Fullarton and lead by Archie Smith has won 63, and conceded 84.