The 10-team Northern Conference competition, which includes the Brisbane Lions Reserves side, remains unchanged, while two new teams - Sydney Hills Eagles and Sydney University - will be introduced into the Eastern Conference.
The Lions Reserves will be keen to atone for a tough 2011 season which saw them finish last with just four wins from 18 matches.
Below are some of the highlights of the Lions Reserves’ 2012 NEAFL fixture:
• The Lions Reserves will play a total of eight matches against three other AFL second-tier teams. The Lions will face each of Gold Coast and the Sydney Swans three times, and will play UWS Giants twice.
• The Lions Reserves will commence their 2012 NEAFL campaign against Dayne Zorko’s former club Broadbeach at H&A Oval on Sunday 1 April.
• The Lions Reserves will play the majority of their home games at Yeronga, with a couple of home games to be hosted at Giffin Park, Coorparoo.
• The Lions Reserves will endure three tough road trips to start the season, against Broadbeach, UWS Giants in Sydney, and reigning Premiers NT Thunder.
• Four of the Lions’ 18 matches are scheduled on Saturday afternoons in the lead-up to a Saturday night senior AFL match at the Gabba. The Lions Reserves will also play at Metricon Stadium in a curtain-raiser to QClash 4 on Saturday 21 July.
• The Lions Reserves have been scheduled three Bye Rounds - in Round 1 (the week prior to the commencement of the 2011 AFL Season), Round 11 (to correspond with the senior team’s Bye) and Round 20.
• New Lions rookies Stephen Wrigley and Sam Michael could be lining up against their clubs, Labrador and Redland, for the first time in Round 16 and Round 19 respectively.
CLICK HERE to view the full 2012 NEAFL fixture
