Aspley remain in the race for a top four finish after prevailing 22-point winners over an inaccurate Redland at Tidbold Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was the tale of the Bombers’ season so far as missed opportunities came back to haunt them in a tight 16.9 (105) to 11.17 (83) loss.
Little separated the two sides in the opening term where the lead changed four times.
Jackson Paine reduced the margin to nine on the stroke of quarter-time but missed chances began to creep in on the other side of the break.
The Bombers missed three consecutive shots on goal before Ben Sloan slotted his first major to bring the Bombers within one point.
Aspley found the answer through James Nelis, but the Bombers continued to press and they drew scores level at the 22-minute mark when Paine booted his third.
Aspley had their noses in front at half-time before another momentum swing when Clay Cameron put the Bombers in front shortly after the break.
It was in the middle stages of the term when the Bombers began to unravel, conceding 5.2 to 1.4 as the Hornets opened up a game-high 21-point lead at three-quarter time.
It was pushed out to 33 within the first five minutes to set a difficult task for the Bombers to cause an upset.
Despite kicking 4.0 thereafter, the Hornets did enough to keep Redland at bay and secure a much-needed victory after a demoralisng 102-point thrashing at the hands of Sydney last week.
Nelis was superb for Aspley with 18 disposals, 10 marks and four inside 50s, and Daniel Joseph (19 disposals) and Oskar Baker (13 disposals and a goal) played key roles in the victory.
Adrian Williams was formidable in Redland’s defence and up the other end, Paine top-scored with four majors for the Bombers.
Brad Rees – in his first match of the season – led the possessions with 23 alongside Jack Rolls.
The loss will leave Redland three games adrift of sixth place by the end of the round, while Aspley holds on to fifth.
Aspley will face Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium next week, while Redland host Southport at Tidbold Park.
Redland Bombers v Aspley Hornets
ASPLEY 5.2 7.6 12.8 16.9 (105).
REDLAND 3.5 5.12 7.17 11.17 (83).
GOALS – Aspley: C French 3, B Warren 3, R Thomson 2, J Stanley 2, J Coghlan, E Barlow, J Nelis, O Baker, D Joseph. Redland: J Paine 4, B Bailey 2, C Cameron 2, L Rogerson, A Christensen, B Sloan.
BEST – Aspley: J Nelis, D Joseph, O Baker, G Dickson, R Thomson, G Grose. Redland: C Walker, A Williams, B Rees, B Howard, J Paine, J Rolls.
