TEAM TALK: Round 15 NEAFL
Image courtesy of NEAFL media
Round 15 of the NEAFL sees three big games involving teams from New South Wales and the ACT, as we approach the end of the season and all teams look to secure their position in the finals.
The round kicks off with the GWS GIANTS travelling to Queensland to take on the Southport Sharks in what is a crucial encounter.
Following their heart-breaking after-the-siren loss to NT Thunder last week, the GIANTS are still searching for that elusive victory. They have not won a game since Round 1 and will be looking to correct that in the Sunshine State on Saturday afternoon.
Injury has again wreaked havoc on the GIANTS, forcing 15 changes to their NEAFL side for the Southport clash. Tendai Mzungu has earned a recall to the GIANTS AFL side after a long-term injury. Harry Perryman, who was impressive last week against the Thunder, also finds himself playing at AFL level this week.
Isaac Cumming also drops out, while Brendan Myers was a late call-up to the NAB AFL U18s Allies side mid-week.
A number of GIANTS Academy players have been called into the team, expected to benefit from the experience of the away trip to Southport.
The Sydney Swans host the Gold Coast Suns in a blockbuster at the SCG on Saturday. The Swans have named 18 AFL-listed players to take on the Suns, who themselves will have 16 AFL-listed players.
Alex Johnson returns to play at the SCG for the first time since Round 22, 2012. The Premiership-winning defender made a solid return to football last weekend and will be looking to get even more minutes under his belt against the Suns.
Robbie Fox (injured) is out for the Swans, while Sam Wicks, Bailey Stewart and Josh Stern have all been omitted. Round 5 NEAFL Rising Star nominee, Will Gowers comes back into the Rover position, while Ruckman Liam Maze also takes his place back in the side.
Finally, Sydney University host the Canberra Demons at Blacktown in a must-win clash for both teams.
Sydney University will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the second-placed Brisbane Lions last week.
Likewise, the Demons will want to get their season back on track after a month they would rather forget – their last win being back in Round 8.
The Students have made three changes, with Lewis Stevenson being the biggest name missing out. Matt Wilson, Kane Murphy and James Loneragan have all come into the side.
The Demons have made three changes, as Luke McKay and Lucas Meline both come back into the side. A few positional changes see Donald Roberts named in the starting line-up, Andrew Swan pushed into defence and Aaron Bruce in the forward-pocket.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
Southport Sharks (9th) vs. GWS GIANTS (10th)
Date: Saturday, 8 July 2017
Time: 12pm
Venue: Fankhauser Reserve
Entry: Free
Watch: Not Streaming Live
Live Stats: Champion Data stats available on the Official NEAFL App
SELECTED GWS GIANTS SIDE
B: 33. Daniel Fleming 36. Billy Johnson 37. Joe Stapleton
HB: 38. Lachlan Dennis 39. Riley Budd 40. Brendon Norton
C: 55. Kieren Briggs 46. Max Lower 45. Lachlan Tanner
HF: 51. Jack Buckley 30. Matt Flynn 47. Matthew Edwards
F: 48. Liam Sansom 49. Rhys Pollock 50. Brock Aston
Foll: 26. Dawson Simpson 11. Will Setterfield 42. Jake Stein
Inter: 28. Zach Sproule 52. Ben McGinness 53. Reed Stevens 54. Ben Zoppo
Emer: 44. Bailey Lambert
In: 33. Daniel Fleming 36. Billy Johnson 37. Joe Stapleton 38. Lachlan Dennis 39. Riley Budd 40. Brendon Norton 46. Max Lower 47. Matthew Edwards 48. Liam Sansom 49. Rhys Pollock 50. Brock Aston 52. Ben McGinness 53. Reed Stevens 54. Ben Zoppo 44. Bailey Lambert.
Out 49. Nathan Coxall 13. Isaac Cumming 25. Tendai Mzungu 40. Jake Gaynor 36. Harry Perryman 52. Jeromy Lucas 46. Dylan Addison 47. Brendan Myers 44. Max Beaumont 48. Shaun Driscoll 39. Alex Paech 54. Karl Merson 53. James Peatling 33. Cameron Edwards
Sydney Swans (1st) vs. Gold Coast Suns (5th)
Date: Saturday, 8 July 2017
Time: 12.55pm
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Entry: With ticket to Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast AFL match
Watch: Streaming live on NEAFL TV
Live Stats: Champion Data stats available on the Official NEAFL App
SELECTED SYDNEY SWANS SIDE
B: 46. Sam Murray 21. Jack Maibaum 2. Alex Johnson
HB: 31. Harry Marsh 32. Michael Talia 38. Colin O’Riordan
C: 53. Sam Barkley 33. Brandon Jack 54. Jared Deep
HF: 30. Tyrone 36. Aliir Aliir 45. Sam Fisher
F: 25. Ben Ronke 1. James Rose 47. Toby Pink
Foll: 60. Liam Maze 49. Will Gowers 19. Shaun Edwards
Inter: 6. Jordan Foote 18. Callum Sinclair 27. Daniel Robinson 11. Jeremy Laidler 58. Hamish MacDonald
Emer: 52. Harrison Carr 56. Cooper Lee 50. Sam Wicks
In: 53. Sam Barkley 54. Jared Deep 49. Will Gowers 58. Hamish MacDonald 60. Liam Maze
Out: 42. Robbie Fox (injured) 54. Bailey Stewart (omitted) 50. Sam Wicks (omitted) 55. Josh Stern (omitted)
Sydney University (3rd) vs. Canberra Demons (7th)
Date: Saturday, 8 July 2017
Time: 2pm
Venue: Blacktown International Sportspark
Entry: Free
Watch: Not Streaming Live
Live Stats: Champion Data stats available on the Official NEAFL App
SELECTED SYDNEY UNIVERSITY SIDE
B: 2. Xavier Richards 38. Darcy Baron-Hay 35. Ryan Hebron*
HB: 24. Tim Barton 12. Aaron Day 26. Will Sierakowski
C: 3. Tom Ayton 30. Callum McFadden 1. Jack Hiscox
HF: 42. James Brain 4. Austin Lucy 40. Matt Wilson
F: 9. Jacob Derickx 33. Nathan Cooper 8. Damien Bonney
Foll: 22. Sam Tagliabue 5. Zac O’Brien 15. Tom Young
Inter: 17. Jackson Potter 18. Jack Dimery 46. James Loneragan 23. Kane Murphy 10. Mitch Thompson
Emer: 28. Michael Manteit
In: 40. Matt Wilson 23. Kane Murphy 46. James Loneragan
Out: 21. Lewis Stevenson (injured) 16. Allistair Gillespie (unavailable) 6. Matt Rawlinson (illness)
SELECTED CANBERRA DEMONS SIDE
B: 23. Ben Fulford 29. Ben Halse 14. Donald Roberts
HB: 21. Matt Vardanega 3. Andrew Swan 25. Sam Martyn
C: 5. Nick Collins 17. Jordan Harper 24. Alex Smout
HF: 27. Lachlan Maples 36. Lucas Meline 16. Mitch Hardie
F: 4. Aaron Bruce 11. Jacob Turner 22. Billy Muir
Foll: 42. Cameron Milne 8. Mitch Maguire 9. Nick Pleming
Inter: 33. Lachlan Harper 19. Max Richardson 1. Isaac Taylor 12. Luke McKay 32. Christian Palombi*
Emer: 28. Sam De Sousa 44. Zackary Derksen 26. Ashley Humphrey
In: 12. Luke McKay 36. Lucas Meline 32. Christian Palombi
Out: 38. Riley Budd (Giants) 40. Rhys Pollock (Giants) 45. Ben McGinness (Giants)
