After a 150-point drubbing of Southport last week to make it five wins on the trot, the Lions NEAFL side will host the bottom-placed GIANTS at South Pine on Saturday. 

The GIANTS are fresh off a bye, however have struggled to perform this season thanks to a wave of injuries plaguing their AFL list. They will bring 11 AFL-listed players into the match, including Will Setterfield who will return from an ankle injury which has kept him out of action since round two.

The GIANTS will have three more AFL-listed players than the last time they played the Lions, where they fell agonisingly short of an upset win. Meanwhile, Brisbane will field 23 AFL-listed players with Marco Paparone, Liam Dawson and Matt Eagles returning to the team. Alex Witherden comes out of the side to make his AFL debut against GWS, along with Rohan Bewick who has been recalled to the seniors.

WHERE AND WHEN

12:00pm, Saturday 24 June
South Pine Sports Complex, Brendale

FORM

UWS GIANTS (10^th): LLLLL
Brisbane Lions (3^rd): LWWWW

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 8, 2017: Brisbane Lions 11.12 (78) d GIANTS 11.11 (77) @ Spotless Stadium
Round 21, 2016: GIANTS 28.17 (185) d Brisbane Lions 7.4 (46) @ Spotless Stadium
Round 16, 2016: Brisbane Lions 9.14 (68) d GIANTS 7.13 (55) @ Coorparoo

HEALTHY PACK OF LIONS

With a fit and firing senior list, the Lions have had the luxury of fielding a near full-strength NEAFL side week-in, week-out. On Saturday they will be as strong as ever, drawing from a full complement of AFL-listed players against the GIANTS. The odds are stacked firmly against the GIANTS for this one, however as we’ve seen earlier in the season they don’t need a huge amount of firepower to pack a serious punch and trouble even the best of sides. This Lions outfit will be confident, but will still need to go into the match prepared to do battle against a dangerous UWS lineup.

WORRY WITHOUT WITHERDEN?

After a sublime first half of the NEAFL season, pick no. 23 in the 2016 draft Alex Witherden has been rightfully rewarded with his AFL debut. Witherden has shown his class at half-back for the Lions NEAFL side this year, going at an elite disposal efficiency rate of 80.5% across his eight games. Without his silky skills on showcase this weekend, the NEAFL Lions will be screaming out for a promising ball-user to take up the mantle and provide some stability at half-back. Marco Paparone has slotted in to Witherden’s position after being omitted from the senior team and NEAFL coach Mitch Hahn will be expecting the 22-year-old to be that player the team requires.

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…

Ben Keays. The Hyundai Help for Kids academy product played seven senior games for the Lions in the first half of the season before being dropped a couple of weeks ago to make way for the return of vice-captain Tom Rockliff. Since then, Keays has picked up where he left off in the NEAFL, registering 26 disposals and two goals in last week’s win over Southport. The 20-year-old will have to fight even harder for his spot back in the senior side now, with another debutant this week, but it shows senior coach Chris Fagan is rewarding consistent performances in the NEAFL. A prolific game against the GIANTS this round will put his name back into consideration when it comes to selection next week.

TEAM

In: 41. Matt Eagles 24. Liam Dawson 22. Marco Paparone
Out: 29. Alex Witherden 8. Rohan Bewick