The Lions, fresh from a narrow victory against the Suns last week, travel to Southport on Saturday where they take on a floundering Sharks outfit. A full complement of listed players for the Lions makes for frightening viewing for Southport, who have made six changes to the side that was clobbered by the Suns two weeks ago. The Lions have made no changes other than the shedding of Liam Dawson (senior emergency) to cut the squad from 23 to 22 as per NEAFL rules. The Lions are shooting for their fourth win in a row, and will need it to stay on the tails of the Sydney Swans and Sydney Uni who sit one win ahead of Brisbane in 1st and 2nd respectively.
WHEN AND WHERE
Southport Sharks (9th) v Brisbane Lions (3rd) at Fankhauser Reserve, 1:30pm, Saturday, June 17.
The match will be live streamed on NEAFL's YouTube channel.
FORM
Southport (9th): LLLWL
Brisbane Lions (3rd): LLWWW
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
Round 3, 2017: Brisbane Lions 14.19 (103) defeated Southport Sharks 6.8 (44) at South Pine Sports Complex
Round 17, 2016: Southport Sharks 17.8 (110) defeated Brisbane Lions 4.11 (35) at Fankhauser Reserve
Round 11, 2016: Southport Sharks 13.18 (96) defeated Brisbane Lions 9.15 (69) at Fankhauser Reserve
THE TIMES THEY ARE A’CHANGING
After some lean years at NEAFL level thanks to injuries and inexperience, the Lions have finally turned the corner in 2017. Rather than relying on a small handful of listed players to shoulder the load, Brisbane have unearthed names on every line that are having an impact. Oscar McInerney in the ruck, Jacob Allison on a wing, Alex Witherden and Cedric Cox off halfback, just to name a few. A clean bill of health could see them easily contending for silverware in September.
TOP FOUR FORAY FOR FREEMAN
With his four goal effort last week against the Suns, Jono Freeman has climbed into the top four for NEAFL goalkickers in 2017 with 20 for the season. He sits just one behind the GIANTS Zachary Sproule. Matt Hammelmann is also in the top 10 with 15 despite playing just 7 NEAFL matches.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR… Tom Bell.
The big bodied midfielder turned 26 this week, and will be hoping for a dominant performance against a Southport midfield that has struggled to find adequate support for stars Jordan Keras and Andrew Boston.
TEAM
| B | #21 - Sam Skinner | #14 - Josh Walker | #45 - Jack Frost |
| HB | #20 - Cedric Cox | #42 - Mitch Hinge | #29 - Alex Witherden |
| C | #8 - Rohan Bewick | #7 - Tom Bell | #37 - Jacob Allison |
| HF | #39 - Corey Lyons | #33 - Michael Close | #47 - Reuben William |
| F | #48 - Blake Grewar | #23 - Josh Schache | #40 - Matt Hammelmann |
| FOL | #46 - Oscar McInerney | #17 - Claye Beams | #1 - Ben Keays |
| INT | #11 - Cian Hanley | #16 - Jarrad Jansen | #34 - Jono Freeman |
| #19 - Josh Clayton | |||
| E | #50 - Ryan Dadds | #53 - Reid Gordon | #54 - Ben Sloan |
IN: Nil.
OUT: Liam Dawson (senior emergency).
