The Redland Bombers couldn’t go the distance with Aspley in their NEAFL clash at Graham Rd on Saturday losing by 24 points in a tough contest.
The Hornets snapped a four-game losing streak when they came from behind at half-time to kick nine goals to four for a 12.10 (82) to 9.4 (58) victory.
The Bombers had the better of Aspley early when they booted the first three goals of the game.
They led by 15 points at quarter-time and extended the margin to 21 through Blake Grewar after two minutes in the second.
But Aspley began to find some momentum to draw within six points at the major break.
Forward James Nelis came to life in the second half, booting the first three goals of the third – putting his side in front for the first time - and four for the quarter as Aspley turned the match on its head to lead by 13 heading into the last.
The Bombers got within five points at the nine-minute mark when Matt Thomson kicked his second major of the match, but Nelis produced the last three goals to end the contest.
Although the Bombers have now lost their past four matches, coach Chris David said it was an improved effort on last week.
“We wanted to make sure we started well and with some intensity and energy, and we certainly did that,” he said.
“We had a period of about 20 minutes in the third where we were poor and you can’t afford to do that. We couldn’t come back from there.
“But I as a lot more pleased with how we played compared to the last three or four weeks, which is a real positive.
“We wanted to change the way we played and we did that for a fair bit of the game. We started to play the game how we like to, and that’s the difference between this game and the past three weeks.”
Nelis was superb in a seven-goal, best-on-ground effort in his return to the side from a five-week overseas holiday.
Midfielder Henry Joyce (21 disposals) and returning defender Michael Hutchinson were among the Hornets best, as they now sit in equal second alongside three other teams.
Thomson (17 disposals and two goals), Brad Rees (25 disposals) and youngster Damian Steven (29) were strong performers for Redland.
The Bombers remain just outside the top six on percentage ahead of a big clash against defending premier NT Thunder at Tidbold Park next week.
Aspley Hornets v Redland Bombers
ASPLEY 1.4 3.8 9.9 12.10 (82)
REDLAND 4.1 5.2 8.2 9.4 (58)
GOALS – Aspley: J Nelis 7, E Sansbury 2, M Argus, D Bevan, M Little.
Redland: N Weller 2 M Thomson 2 J Goodall 2 H Bertoli-Simmonds 2 B Grewar.
BEST – Aspley: J Nelis, H Joyce, M Hutchinson, D Henderson, J Allen, R Holman.
Redland: M Thomson, B Rees, D Steven, N Weller, B Howard, P Yagmoor.
