The Lions - the Northern Conference victors - will tackle Eastern Conference Premiers Queanbeyan in the cross-conference championship at Manuka Oval; the winning team confirmed as the cream of QLD, NSW, NT and ACT’s footballing crop.
“There’s no doubting it’s a very significant occasion; there is a huge prize at the end of this for whoever wins,” enthused Lions Coach Nathan Clarke.
“We want to win; it’s a golden opportunity to win two flags in the space of a week.”
The Lions are bidding to emulate NT Thunder; who in 2011 took out the dual deciders in the inaugural year of the NEAFL, though the Lions’ task this year is arguably more difficult.
NT won their inter-conference Grand Final in Alice Springs against Canberra-based Ainslie; the southerners disadvantaged as much by the parochial home crowd support as the sweltering September afternoon in the Top End.
To be fair, the location of the NEAFL decider alternates each year between North and Eastern conference; so the Lions must make the sojourn south to tackle the Tigers on Saturday - a factor which adds an extra degree of difficulty to the match-up.
“They [Queanbeyan] will be very tough; the fact they are playing in their home territory makes it extra hard,” said Clarke.
“They’ve got a really strong side; there’s good marking power in [James] Kavanah and [Ryan] Quade, who are their two main targets up forward. They’ve added a lot of depth to their midfield as well; lots of really strong bodies around the ball.”
But it’s the Tigers’ watertight backline which is probably their biggest strength. Queanbeyan had significantly less inside 50s than Sydney in last Sunday’s Eastern Conference final, but won by five goals - a sure fire sign of a miserly defence.
Despite the quality of their oppositions’ defenders, the Lions will be confident of a good goal-kicking output on Saturday. Their attack boasts scoring options aplenty, with the power of Jordan Lisle, Aaron Cornelius’s glue-like hands, the crumbing smarts of Jack Fox, and Jackson Starcevich’s formidable frame.
The biggest hurdle the Lions must overcome is the loss of plenty of important personnel who played in last week’s win. Joe Grant medallist Claye Beams, regular seniors Elliot Yeo and Jack Crisp, and 2012 reserves standouts Sam Docherty and Patrick Karnezis head a list of eight listed-players unavailable.
Clarke says there are no serious injuries among the group of guys omitted; it’s simply been a long season, and their bodies are taxed to the point that another high-intensity match could do more harm than good.
Despite taking a depleted squad to Canberra, Clarke’s bullish about his charges’ chances; citing old heads, youthful enthusiasm, and a much-loved veteran’s last game as the main reasons Brisbane can bring home another piece of silverware.
“I am confident going in, even though we have only got ten or eleven listed-players this week,” said Clarke.
“There is still a wealth of experience in the side with guys like Cheynee [Stiller], Amon [Buchanan], and [James] Hawklsey; plus the top-ups we are getting are so keen; you know they will give it 100%.
“And of course, it’s Amon’s very last game; he’s had more farewells than John Farnham!”
