The Brisbane Lions Reserves will face their first ‘AFL’ opposition for the 2013 NEAFL season when they host the UWS Giants at Coorparoo on Saturday morning.

The Giants – the official reserves side for Greater Western Sydney – not only feature an array of quality young talent, but also some players with significant AFL experience.

Reserves Coach Leigh Harding expects it to be a “good test” – particularly for the first and second year players.

“The Giants have some serious AFL players in their line-up – guys like Bret Thornton, Setanta o’hAilpin, Rhys Palmer and Sam Reid,” Harding said.

“Plus they also have some of the best young talent from the past couple of years.”

With 2012 Giants draftee Kristian Jaksch fresh from a four-goal haul, the Lions defenders can expect to have their hands full on Saturday.

“Our young defenders (Jordon Bourke and Justin Clarke) will each get to play on a good tall forward – whether it’s o’hAilpin or Jaksch,” Harding said.

“They need to play on those sorts of guys for their own development.”

The Giants came agonisingly close to toppling Eastern Conference heavyweights the Sydney Swans in their opening NEAFL match last week.

It could be argued that the Giants ‘deserved’ to win considering they had 10 extra scoring shots, yet finished five points behind on the scoreboard. 

In the Lions’ favour this Saturday will be a significant home ground advantage, with competitive NEAFL football returning to Coorparoo for the first time in 2013.

The match will start at the earlier time of 11am to allow Lions fans the chance to watch both the reserves and seniors in succession.

“The match will be played right in the middle of the day, so the heat will be testing for both teams,” Harding said.

“Importantly, it gives supporters a chance to get along and watch the Reserves and see some of the Club’s youth that are coming through.”

“Then they can head on over to the Gabba in time for the senir team’s match against Adelaide.”

The Lions Reserves will host UWS Giants from 11am this Saturday 6 April at Giffin Park, Coorparoo.