The Lions Reserves will be raring to go this week after last Saturday’s nail-biting one point win over the Bombers at the Gabba.
They travel to Darwin to take on reigning premiers Northern Territory Thunder who are sitting in second place on the NEAFL ladder and are coached by ex-Lion Xavier Clarke.
The Reserves will be without Dan McStay, Josh Green, Rhys Mathieson, Nick Robertson, Archie Smith and Matthew Hammelmann – who will make his AFL debut this week.
They will however welcome back Josh Watts and Marco Paparone.
Players from both sides will wear orange boot laces on the day in support of the Step Back Think campaign which raises awareness for social violence.
WHERE AND WHEN
TIO Stadium (Northern Territory), Saturday, June 24, 6:30pm (local time)
This will be live streamed here.
GOALS FOR SUCCESS
Last weekend the Lions only had two goal-scorers; Josh Green who kicked five and Josh Clayton with two. With Green recalled to the seniors this week, the Reserves will need to look elsewhere for scoreboard impact. Michael Close will be a target at full forward and Liam Dawson will have an opportunity to stamp his authority on the match in the forward pocket.
BEUGELAAR’S BACK
Justin Beugelaar, 26, returns for the Thunder this week after suffering a neck injury in their Round 10 win over the Giants. The NEAFL representative defender is listed to start at centre half-forward tomorrow and has the ability to take the game away from the Lions if he finds the form which has made him so dangerous in the past.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Michael Close. After kicking the winning point in last week’s NEAFL thriller at the Gabba, the big man will be looking to produce another game-winning performance on the road. Given the extra responsibility of captaincy this week, Close will need to lead from the front to inspire the young Lions.
Michael Close goes up for a big grab (Photo: David Layden)
FORM
Brisbane Lions (9th): LWLLW
NT Thunder (2nd): LWLWW
LAST TIME THEY MET
Rd 19, 2015: Brisbane Lions 12.14 (86) def. by NT Thunder 18.15 (123) @ the Gabba.
TEAM
| B | #43 Josh McGuinness | #41 Sam Skinner | #54 Isaac Corvo |
| HB | #47 Reuben William | #20 Josh Watts | #53 Jack Clayton |
| C | #49 Will Fletcher | #46 Billy Evans | #58 Declan Watson |
| HF | #57 James Rayner | #22 Marco Paparone | #48 Jake Warren |
| F | #51 Brock Aston | #33 Michael Close | #24 Liam Dawson |
| FOL | #13 Trent West | #19 Josh Clayton | #52 Soul Cormick |
| INT | #50 Ryan Dadds | #56 Luca Mason | #55 Billy Lambert |
AFL LISTED PLAYER CHANGES
IN: Josh Watts, Marco Paparone
OUT: Dan McStay, Josh Green, Rhys Mathieson, Matthew Hammelmann, Nick Robertson, Archie Smith
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