When and Where:
1.10pm at Gabba
Overall Head-To-Head:
Brisbane Lions – 12
Port Adelaide – 11
Draws – 2
Last Time They Met:
Brisbane Lions 16.12 (108) defeated Port Adelaide 11.15 (81), Round 3, 2010 at AAMI Stadium
Recent Form:
Brisbane Lions –WLLLL
Port Adelaide – WLBLL
Current Ladder Positions:
Brisbane Lions – 15th (2-11)
Port Adelaide – 16th (2-11)
Key Players:
After being in and out of the Lions’ side for the past couple of years, Andrew Raines has cemented his spot in the side and his playing his role to perfection. The 25-year-old has increased his aerobic endurance enough to run through the midfield and shut down one of the opposition’s most damaging on-ballers. Raines has had roles on Gary Ablett, Trent Cotchin, Nick Dal Santo, Aaron Davey and Adam Cooney this season, but it was his effort on Stephen Hill against Fremantle last weekend that won him plenty of respect. He restricted Hill to 21 touches and was able to be damaging the other and gather 21 touches himself. Expect Raines to go to either Danyle Pearce or Travis Boak on Sunday.
Speaking of Pearce, he has been one of a number of maligned players at the Power for some years, but his past month of footy has been encouraging. The 25-year-old has averaged 24 disposals and six inside 50’s over the past four games in a sign that he might be returning to the form that won him the NAB Rising Star award in 2006. The problem for Pearce is that he’s shown very little improvement since that year. He averaged 20 disposals per game that season, but hasn’t been able to beat that number in six years. The time has come for Pearce to step up and Sunday’s game against a side lacking confidence.
Brisbane Lions Team Changes:
IN – Jed Adcock
OUT – Daniel Rich (Foot)
Port Adelaide Team Changes:
IN – Brett Ebert and Nick Salter
OUT – Alipate Carlile (Hip) and Jasper Pittard (Hamstring)
Who Wins?
These two sides played off in a Grand Final eight years ago. On Sunday, they play off to avoid winning the wooden spoon. Boy times have changed.
There were still a few positives to come out of last weekend’s game for Brisbane, despite losing to Fremantle by 23 points. Veteran Simon Black wound back the clock with 33 quality possessions, while his midfield prodgies, Jack Redden and Tom Rockliff, continued their outstanding seasons with another 57 touches between them. However the Lions’ biggest issue is still their heavy reliance on Jonathon Brown up forward. If they can find some more avenues to goal, they’ll start kicking bigger scores and winning more games.
After pushing West Coast to 22 points in Round 13, Port Adelaide would’ve been disappointed it let North Melbourne run away to a 45-point win at home last weekend. The Power had the lead at one stage during the second quarter, but as has been the case on countless occasions this season, they stopped and allowed their opposition to get on top. Surely Matthew Primus’ boys will be up for this game, after respected club veteran Dean Brogan announced his retirement at the end of the season.
Can’t believe this is being written, but Sunday’s match between the 15th and 16th sides is perhaps the most intriguing game of the round. The result of this game will have major implications in the battle to avoid the dreaded 17th place. Assuming Gold Coast loses, the winner of this match will get a game’s breathing space from the loser and the Suns. Back the Lions, only because it’s in Brisbane.
Best Head-To-Head Bet:
Brisbane Lions by 25+ ($2.20 – Sportingbet)
Also Sportingbet Australia are doing a first goal scorer special on the AFL, on top of the usual first goal scorer payout. If your first goal scorer bet scores the second goal, the guys at Sportingbet will pay you out as well! If he kicks the first two, they will pay you double! Get on!
Other Suggested Bets:
First Goal Scorer – Jonathan Brown on Sportingbet