Canberra Demons eye AFL's second chance saloon

Not after the year he had, one that eventually saw him training with the Sydney Swans. Not after coming so close and being overlooked for an AFL contract.

Now the AFL's mid-season draft looms as his second chance saloon as Maguire and eight Canberra Demons teammates wait to see if they will be picked up on May 27.

Maguire has joined Angus Baker, Riley Budd, Thomas Faul, Mitchell Hardie, Tom Highmore, Lucas Meline, Jarrod Osborne, and Jack Powell in nominating for the initiative that could catapult them onto an AFL list this month.

The Canberra group face an uphill battle after no club requested they undergo medical screening - but Maguire is looking to make a statement in the only way he knows how.

That is by leading an injury-hit Canberra outfit to an upset against the ladder-leading Brisbane Lions - bolstered by 20 AFL listed players - in the NEAFL at Phillip Oval on Saturday.

"It's something that is in the back of your mind, but if we go out there and get a win, that'll take care of itself, that other stuff," Maguire said.

"Last year was slightly disappointing. I thought I had a good year. To get so close and not get taken by a club was disappointing for myself and obviously Angus Baker as well.

"Nothing too much changed this year, we're just trying to play that consistent footy again. If you keep playing at a very high level, eventually you might get your chance.

"Just keep working hard and play the best you can is the main goal for me anyway."

The Demons will be boosted by the inclusion of Nick Eynaud, Jonathan Spina and Adam Kinasch for their clash with Brisbane.

Eynaud has overcome a finger injury to make his NEAFL debut while player-coach Kade Klemke (rested), Riley Budd and Donald Roberts (both injured) drop out of the side.

Debuts don't come much bigger - the Lions are trotting out a near-AFL level list and have won each of their five games by an average of more than 74 points.

"They're on fire at the moment, they've had no injuries in first grade or second grade really. It always makes it hard when they have nearly 20 listed players," Maguire said.

"In saying that, the vibe is good around the club and everyone is more excited than anything. There is no pressure on us this week, we're not expected to win or anything, but we're excited about the challenge.

"It's not very often you come up against 20 listed players at once, so everyone is pretty keen to get stuck in.

"We have been up and down a bit, we've been very patchy this year in our form. Throughout games we have a good 10-minute patch and then we slacken off for a 10-minute patch. That has cost us a couple of close ones against the [GWS] Giants and against Southport.

"We've played some good footy but there are still areas to improve on. We can improve on them this week against Brisbane, who will be a really good challenge for us.

"It's going to be really good for a few of the young guys and everyone on the list. It's always a good challenge playing against those sort of players."

Meanwhile, the Belconnen Magpies and Queanbeyan Tigers will bring AFL Canberra's round four fixtures to a close when they meet at Kippax Oval on Saturday.

It comes after Eastlake hosted Ainslie and Gungahlin met Tuggeranong under Friday night lights.

NEAFL ROUND SIX

Saturday: Canberra Demons v Brisbane Lions at Phillip Oval, 12pm. Live stream: NEAFL TV.

CANBERRA

B: 35. T Highmore, 2. A Paech, 12. J Spina

HB: 18. A Baker, 29. B Halse, 26. N Eynaud

C: 25. S Martyn, 6. A Smout, 17. J Osborne

HF: 16. M Hardie, 4. A Bruce, 27. R Pollock

F: 24. H Carr, 13. T Faul, 9. J Powell

R: 19. J Maynard, 36. L Meline, 8. M Maguire

Int: 15. K Evans, 28. A Kinasch, 23. G Richardson, 21. M Vardanega, 7. C Owen-Auburn

Emg: 30. J Adamson, 22. L Jamieson, 1. I Taylor

BRISBANE

B: 20. C Cox, 38. C Ballenden, 40. J Payne

HB: 22. M Hinge, 41. M Eagles, 18. N Robertson

C: 4. R Bastinac, 13. T Berry, 3. A Christensen

HF: 36. R Mathieson, 21. S Skinner, 28. L Taylor

F: 51. K Coleman, 47. T Fullarton, 34. T Wooller

R: 44. A Smith, 1. B Keays, 39. C Lyons

Int: 32. T Joyce, 42. J Madden, 45. C McFadyen, 8. E Smith

Emg: 54. J Currie