While the Brisbane Lions’ senior side will enter QClash8 against cross-town rivals Gold Coast as rank underdogs, it will be a completely different story when the two clubs’ NEAFL sides meet at Coorparoo on Saturday.

After claiming consecutive State League titles, the Lions Reserves are set to miss the NEAFL Finals in 2014 having won just three of their first 13 matches.

However, the Lions’ fortunes have still been far better than the Suns’, who are languishing at the bottom of the NEAFL ladder and remain winless this season.

The Suns also have a poor percentage of just 42.71 – largely due to four heavy defeats or of 100 points or more.

Interestingly, two of the Lions’ three wins this season have come against the Suns, by an average margin of 75 points.

Both sides have been largely affected by injuries this season, and have been forced to play a greater number of top-ups, and this Saturday should be no different.

Fresh from a narrow defeat to top four candidates NT Thunder two weeks ago, the Lions will be without promising midfielder Jack Crisp – who has been recalled to the senior side.

However, they will benefit from the services of Marco Paparone, who is set to play his first NEAFL match of 2014.

Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is also a chance to resume after spending a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a sore Achilles, while fellow big man Archie Smith should also be back after missing a week through concussion.

The Suns, meanwhile, will be short a couple more listed players, with Clay Cameron and Luke Russell elevated to the seniors to replace the injured Kade Kolodjashnij and suspended defender Tom Murphy.

The Round 17 NEAFL match, to be played at Giffin Park in Coorparoo, is scheduled to commence at 11:30am – not 12pm as originally fixture.

All Lions fans are encouraged to get along to Coorparoo to cheer the Reserves side on, before heading to the Gabba for the QClash ‘main event’, which will start at 4:40pm.