Former teammates and good friends Daniel McStay and Tom Boyd will face-off for the first time in opposition colours this Saturday afternoon when the Brisbane Lions Reserves host the UWS Giants in an all-important NEAFL clash at Coorparoo.

McStay and Boyd played most of their junior football together at the Eastern Ranges, before being drafted to the Lions and Giants respectively last off-season.

While Boyd dominated headlines as the high-profiled number one selection at the 2013 AFL National Draft, far less fanfare surrounded McStay when the Lions read his name out with Pick No.25.

Although both are yet to establish themselves at senior level, their recent form in the NEAFL has been unmistakable.

McStay is fresh from arguably his best match in Lions colours after blanketing dangerous Redlands forward Rhys Estall, while Boyd has booted a total of eight goals from his past two outings.

With McStay capable of playing tall or small, there is every chance that the pair could line-up alongside each other at some stage during their Round 12 contest.

It promises to be an intriguing game, with the Giants proving to be the form side of the NEAFL having won their past three matches by an average of 406 points (an average margin of 135 points per game) – including a 104-point thrashing of then ladder-leaders the NT Thunder last weekend.

The Giants’ rich vein of form has them sitting second on the NEAFL ladder, and it’s little wonder considering they boast an unprecedented array of young talent.

The Giants’ NEAFL side that will travel to Brisbane could feature up to eight first round draft selections – including Boyd (Pick No.1 in 2013), Jono O’Rourke (Pick No.2 in 2012), Lachie Plowman (Pick No.3 in 2012), Matthew Buntine (Pick No.5 in 2011), Liam Sumner (Pick No.10 in 2011), Kristian Jaksch (Pick No.12 in 2012), Cameron McCarthy (Pick No.14 in 2013) Jed Lamb (Pick No.21 in 2010).

Lions Reserves Coach Leigh Harding said the talent laden Giants present a huge challenge for his young side.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys drafted in the past couple of years as well. It will be good to see how they fare against their peers who were once considered the cream of the crop,” Harding said.

"The Giants have won by 191 points, 111 points, and 104 points in their last three games – against good opposition as well.

“It will be a great challenge.”

Lions fans will have the chance to cheer on the NEAFL side against the UWS Giants at Coorparoo from 1:30pm, before watching both senior sides go head-to-head at the Gabba from 7:40pm.  

“We urge all Lions supporters to get down to Coorparoo and watch our young guys play. Afterwards, they can just wander up Stanley Street to the Gabba and watch the senior game,” Harding said.