Ticket To Ride
NEAFL Round 15

Sydney Swans Reserves v Brisbane Lions Reserves
Friday 28th June 2013 2.00pm
Blacktown International Sports Park

The two teams may be on the top of their respective conferences but while the Swans are struggling with injury and have dropped their last 2 games, the Lions are in rude health and will take a 3 game winning streak into this top-of-the-table clash. The Lions have already visited Sydney once this year and came away with a solid 4 goal victory in Round 8 and will be hot favourites to make it a clean sweep at Blacktown. In a strange twist of fate, in the last 4 matches between these 2 teams, the away side has emerged the victor on all 4 occasions. The Reserves will limp into this game with only 11 fit listed players, which pales into contrast with the juggernaut that is the Brisbane lineup with around 20 listed players expected to take the field for the Lions once their team is finalised.


Eastern Conference Ladder
TeamPlayedWinsLossesDrawsByesForAgainstPercentagePoints
Reserves1183031333793168.10%32
Belconnen11740312841072119.78%28
Eastlake11740391194596.40%28
Queanbeyan11650310271017100.98%24
Ainslie12660211481141100.61%24
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UWS11560311331121101.07%20
Sydney Uni1147031042112692.54%16
Hills Eagles1147031031117587.74%16
Tuggeranong112903623126249.37%8

Northern Conference Ladder
TeamPlayedWinsLossesDrawsByesForAgainstPercentagePoints
Lions Reserves11101021338767174.45%40
Southport1192021160803144.46%36
Suns Reserves1183021164934124.63%32
Aspley1174021191892133.52%28
Morningside12750111681009115.76%28
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NT Thunder11650212631044120.98%24
Redland11560211051010109.41%20
Broadbeach114702926115080.52%16
Labrador1111002716138851.59%4
Mt Gravatt1201201689160243.01%0

Past Meetings
2013
Reserves 11.15 (81) defeated by Brisbane Reserves 15.14 (104) @ SCG

Goals: Morton 5, Towers 2, Perris, Everitt, Robinson, Jack
Best: Walsh, Morton, White, Mitchell, Everitt, Richards

2012
R8 Brisbane Reserves 11.20 (86) defeated by Reserves 18.12 (120) @Yeronga

The Reserves travelled to Brisbane to upset the Lions who aided the Swans by being incredibly wasteful in front of goal. The Swans stormed to a 6 goal lead at quarter time and maintained a 4 goal lead at the main break and despite a couple of Lions surges in the 2nd half, confidently withstood the fusillade of shots from Brisbane to win quite comfortably. Mitch Morton continued his goal glut by bagging 8 to complement his 10 the previous week. Captain Jarred Moore dominated the stoppages yet again aided by the taps of big Canuck Mike Pyke

Goals: Morton 8 Walsh 2, Davis, Thurgarland, Spangher, Cunningham, Moody, Bosschieter, Moore, Meredith
Best: Moore, Pyke, Walsh, Cunningham, Biggs, Heath

R16 Reserves 16.7 (103) defeated by Brisbane Reserves 17.20 (122) @ Sydney Cricket Ground

The Swans for a variety of reasons had plenty of regulars missing and a very strong Lions outfit took advantage of their absence to record a strong away win. Truth be told, if they had converted a higher number of their set shots, the game would have been over early in the 2nd half. Tommy Walsh stood up in the absence of his forward line teammates to take strong grabs, and finished with a deserved 3 goals. Brett Meredith provided plenty of run and dash from the half back line while Trent Dennis-Lane continued to impress onlookers in his new hybrid midfield-forward role.

Goals: Broome 3, Parker 3, Dennis-Lane 3, Walsh 3, Moore, Krochmal, Mitchell, Lamb
Best: Walsh, Meredith, Dennis-Lane, Heath, Plug, Parker

R21 Brisbane Reserves 13.8 (86) defeated by Reserves 17.15 (117) @ Yeronga

The Reserves coped well without leading goalkicker Mitch Morton with his replacement Trent Dennis-Lane kicking 5 goals and the two talls Matt Spangher and Tommy Walsh 3 each. It was the impressive use of the ball by Andrejs Everitt that saw him named best on ground alongside midfield general Jarred Moore. Campbell Heath yet again led the defence superbly, blanketing the Lions tall forwards.

Goals: Dennis-Lane 5, Spangher 3, Walsh 3, McNeil 2, Everitt 2, Cunningham Gordon
Best: Everitt, Moore, Heath, McNeil, White

Recent Form
Reserves
RoundTeamVenueResultFA
R1BYE    
R2UWSAwayWIN107102
R3Gold CoastHomeWIN11065
R4TuggeranongAwayWIN23740
R5Hills EaglesHomeWIN14886
R6BYE    
R7BrisbaneHomeLOSS81104
R8UWSAwayWIN12778
R9QueanbeyanHomeWIN15138
R10AinslieAwayWIN12349
R11BelconnenHomeWIN14049
R12Gold CoastAwayLOSS5070
R13BYE    
R14NT ThunderAwayLOSS59112

Lions Reserves
RoundTeamVenueResultFA
R1BYE    
R2MorningsideAwayWIN14457
R3UWSHomeWIN10162
R4Gold CoastAwayWIN18070
R5BroadbeachHomeWIN13656
R6Gold CoastAwayWIN11179
R7Swans ReservesAwayWIN10481
R8BYE    
R9UWSAwayWIN48136
R10SouthportAwayWIN8876
R11Gold CoastHomeLOSS70117
R12BYE    
R13LabradorAwayWIN13435
R14AspleyHomeWIN13486

Last Round

NT Thunder 16.16 (112) defeated Reserves 9.5 (59) @ Traeger Park

Goals: Towers 3, Jack 2, Dick 2, Wheeler, Plug
Best: Lloyd, Lockyer, Biggs, Cunningham


Lions Reserves 19.20 (134) defeated Aspley 13.8 (86) @ Giffin Park

Goals: Green 4, Bewick 3, Bartlett 3, Cornelius 2, Banfield 2, Newell 2, Paparone, Karnezis, Maguire
Best: Bewick, Raines, Green, Karnezis, Michael, Crisp

Team List
Listed players
#NameGamesGoalsVotesNotes
1Tim MEMBREY8173(seniors emergency) Traveling emergency last week, it will be a tough but invaluable learning role against a tough Brisbane defence.
7Harry CUNNINGHAM6310Encouraging performances in his 3 games since his return, playing midfield even though a halfback spot is beckoning in the seniors.
19Tony ARMSTRONG504(seniors emergency)Will begin his third stint in the reserves after being dropped again.
22Dean TOWERS10100Played his best game as a key target up forward, could repeat that role.
23Jordan LOCKYER1113Holding down a key defensive post now, was recognised in the best list for the first time last week.
27Daniel ROBINSON1093Hasn't hit the same heights since missing the Round 11 game against Belconnen.
28Matthew DICK720Provided a much needed forward target in the 2nd half against the Thunder, but will probably shift back in Richards' absence.
31Harrison MARSH1050Had the most clearances (6) of any Swan last week, has a deceptive turn of speed.
36Alex BROWN11312Filled in as the 2nd ruckman at times last week, but that temporary may be proving detrimental to his performances in his main role.
44Jake LLOYD11826Leading possession winner yet again but mostly worked behind the ball helping out his undermanned defence.
46Shane BIGGS11115Continues to provide the run and carry out of defence, but has been working over time with the number of inside 50s being conceded.
Changes
In: Membrey (seniors traveling emergency), Armstrong (seniors)
Out: Brandon JACK (seniors), Xavier RICHARDS (seniors emergency)

Another low number of 11 listed players and again without a recognised ruckman. Membrey will provide a target as a natural forward and expect one or both of Towers and Dick to line up in an unfamiliar forward position. The team may struggle to kick enough goals for a winning score with Brandon Jack's omission, as he has been a main source of assists in the team this year. Richards being rested will result in the likes of Lockyer, Dick or Brown having to tackle the ominously tall forwards that the Lions are bringing to this game (see below)

Academy Players/Topups
#NameGamesGoalsVotesNotes
47Nicolas SHAW000from St George
49Jack McKINLAY200 
50Stephen WRAY820 
51James DUNN320 
52Mitch CRAWFORD600 
53David LYCAKIS000 
54Jack DAVIS000 
55Matthew VICIC000from Sydney Uni
58Levi SANDS220 
59Brendan NORTON000 
60Jordan WEIR1051 

In: Crawford, Davis, Dunn, Lycakis, Norton, Sands, Shaw, Vicic, Wray
Out: Alan DICKSON, Warwick DICKSON, Doug HADDEN, Matthew MOKETARINJA, Josh PARTINGTON, Brad PLUG, Aaron SHARPE, Jasper WHEELER

Weir was the ruckman in the first half last week, but was was released to roam the half-forward line in the 2nd half. Sands in his 2 games has done a passable job as the main ruckman and should resume that role again. McKinlay played off halfback last week and Dunn has played in the forward line in his previous 3 games.

Of the new players, Lycakis and Davis have played as topups in previous years, Norton is a Northern NSW Academy member and played one match last year.


Reserves leading goalkickers
  • Mitch Morton 26 (5)
  • Jesse White 22 (8)
  • Tommy Walsh 21 (6)

For full list: 2013 Goalkickers - RWOwiki

Reserves leading votegetters
  • Jake Lloyd 26 (11)
  • Jed Lamb 24 (7)
  • Tommy Walsh 19 (6)

For full list: 2013 Best Votes - RWOwiki

Brisbane Lions Squad
    
B:45. Jordon BOURKE40. Niall McKEEVER33. Michael CLOSE
HB:31. James POLKINGHORNE36. Matt MAGUIRE25. Richard NEWELL
C:18. Todd BANFIELD4. Jared POLEC32. Sam MAYES
F:8. Rohan BEWICK22. Marco PAPARONE28. Patrick KARNEZIS
F:46. Sam MICHAEL44. Aaron CORNELIUS6. Josh GREEN
Foll:5. Billy LONGER47. Jack CRISP29. Andrew RAINES
Int:12. Stefan MARTIN13. Callum BARTLETT34. Jesse O'BRIEN
 37. Patrick WEARDEN43. Nick HAYES53. Lachlan DIGNAN
 60. Daniel DAYEJ. BROWNRiley BLUNDELL
   

In: Bourke, Brown, Dignan, Hayes, Longer, Martin, Mayes
Out: Daniel HENDERSON, Dylan BRESNEHAN

While the Swans will have to struggle with a makeshift ruck division, the Lions will have the luxury calling upon 3 ruckmen who have all tasted senior football this year in Longer, Michael and Martin. There is quality all over the ground with Maguire and McKeever experienced talls in defence, Banfield, Green, Bewick, Mayes and Karnezis all very potent half-forwards and great on-ballers in Polec, Raines, Crisp, Hayes and Bartlett.