Lions and Sollies meet this Sunday at Memorial Oval in an important rematch for both sides.
Lions after last weekends impressive win over previously undefeated West Augusta, has taken a big step in turning their season around. Although, it was a well deserved win Lions still needs to produce far greater consistency in performance if it wishes to be a genuine force in the competition.
Sollies, however, continue to struggle to produce four quarters of football. In their game against South they opened strongly but again disappointingly failed to maintain the necessary intensity. Clearly they have the ability to challenge all sides but have been unable sustain early advantages and momentum. These disappointing performances must be a source of great frustration to Sollies coach David Bickley.
When Lions and Sollies last meet on ANZAC Day it saw a comfortable win for the Lions. But it was after an intense struggle and also only in the final quarter that Lions eventually got on top of a determined Sollies unit.
Lions cannot afford to under estimate Sollies as they have a core unit of players capable of matching it with any team. Captain Jarrod Davies is a fine leader and versatile player whether in defense or attack. Damien Fosters continues to score multiple goals, as does Mark Scollin when playing up forward. Also Chuck Sawyer is capable of valuable contributions as was shown last week.
Sollies, like the Lions have many promising young players eager to do well. These include Hayden Cox, Matt Leske, James Moyses, Lindsay Bearman, Nelson Magor and Brodie Johanson. But the team cannot totally rely on these in their formative stage of development.
Contributions of Sollies players such as Jason Adams, Ben Abella, Matt Turner and Ryleigh Bateson and others will be watched closely to provide that much needed experience and support to the team’s younger players.
Alan Margatich has been doing well in ruck but will need to be at his best against the Lions in form combination of Jonathon Haynes and Brad Ley.
Lions have a number of senior players in form such as Brodie Lavis, Matt Peek, Matt Promnitz and Tate Bradley (6 gls last week) providing that much needed support to the younger players. The strength and determination of Chris Marsland in midfield is a bonus as is the possible return of Tom Harmer and Clinton O’Connor.
The young Lions, in particular, would have gained much needed individual confidence from last weekends win. Cameron Pine appears to be settling in well at center half back, while Brad Pine, Tyson Horsnell and Tyron George continue to impress as onballers. The loss through injury of Daniel Pine is a blow to the defence.
The game has the potential to be an entertaining one with both sides having the capacity to run and create scoring opportunities. For the Lions it is the opportunity to consolidate a position in the four, while for Sollies a chance to prove to themselves and their supporters that they can play four quarters of sustained football.
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