Aspley was simply too good for Redland at Scottsdale Park on Saturday as the Hornets took a step further towards securing a finals berth with a 34-point victory.
Despite conceding the first goal of the game, Aspley was quick to take control and led by as much as 67 points before finishing 17.16 (118) to 12.12 (84) winners.
The competition’s leading goalkicker, Matt Hammelmann, had the Bombers on the board early, but the Hornets were quick to respond via the returning James Nelis.
Aspley kicked out to a 15-point lead at quarter-time and it grew to 29 by half-time, albeit from a wasteful return of 2.6 to 0.4.
The floodgates opened up after the main break where a combined 13 goals were kicked from both teams in the third quarter alone.
Hammelmann got his side off to a good start, but the Hornets then dominated the context and piled on six unanswered majors to produce their match-winning lead.
Aspley’s victory came despite a superb performance from Redland forward Jackson Paine, who was the Bombers leading disposal winner with 30, plus 12 marks, six inside 50s and five goals.
But the Hornets had too many winners across the ground. NEAFL MVP contender Matt Payne was again strong in the midfield with 27 disposals, six clearances and a goal, and his fellow co-captain Ben Warren starred with 26 disposals and four goals.
Aspley now opens up a four-point gap in fifth place over Gold Coast in sixth, ahead of a battle with NT Thunder in Darwin next week.
Redland has the bye.
Redland Bombers v Aspley Hornets at Scottsdale Park
ASPLEY: 4.4 6.10 14.15 17.16 (118)
REDLAND: 2.1 2.5 7.9 12.12 (84)
GOALS – Aspley: B Warren 4 J Nelis 3 J Craven 2 A Swallow 2 J Spencer J Preval B Beardsell J Freeman B Nelis M Payne. Redland: J Paine 5 M Hammelmann 3 K Baker M Stallard C Malone A Christensen.
BEST – Aspley: M Payne B Warren R Toye L Hampton B Beardsell J Spencer. Redland: J Paine S Miller B Bailey A Williams.