Rarely have the Lions and Suns been able to battle out NEAFL matches at full strength, resulting in a raft of one-sided contests with an average margin of 58 points in the past three seasons - with the win-loss ledger sitting evenly at 5-5. This match is unlikely to blow out that far, and is a chance for both sides to go toe-to-toe with an almost full complement of listed players.

The undefeated Lions will be bolstered by the return of Tom Bell and Rohan Bewick from the seniors, Rhys Mathieson from injury and Cian Hanley from compassionate leave. Meanwhile, the Suns regain Jack Scrimshaw, Matt Shaw and a smorgasbord of talented Academy youngsters hell-bent on landing a spot on the Suns list at the 2017 drafts. This one is set to be a cracker, and could well be match of the round in the NEAFL.

WHERE AND WHEN

12.55pm, Saturday 22 April
Metricon Stadium, Carrara

FORM

Brisbane Lions (2^nd): WWW
Gold Coast Suns (3^rd): LWW

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 15, 2016: Gold Coast Suns 14.15 (99) def. Brisbane Lions 15.7 (97) @ Metricon Stadium
Round 9, 2016: Brisbane Lions 22.18 (150) def. Gold Coast Suns 5.8 (38) @ The Gabba
Round 3, 2016: Gold Coast Suns 21.12 (138) def. Brisbane Lions 3.12 (30) @ Yeronga

THE BIG FELLAS

Whilst most eyes will be on the expanse of young midfield and forward talent hoarded by both sides, the battle of two of the best big man brigades in the NEAFL will be worth keeping an eye on. The Lions have found a perfect foil for developing ruck Archie Smith in Oscar McInerney, the mature age recruit from Casey palming off 31 hitouts and booting 4 goals in three games.

Meanwhile the imposing Cameron Loersch (averaging 12 disposals and 2 goals a game), Keegan Brooksby (15 disposals, 2 goals, 18 hitouts) and Tom Nicholls (11 disposals, 1 goal, 16 hitouts) for the Suns will be joined by Brayden Crossley, who at just 17 stands at 198cm and 100kg and has already drawn comparisons to Shane Mumford due to his brutal physicality.

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…

Rhys Mathieson. Matho has missed the early rounds of the season with an ankle injury and Chris Fagan has opted to return the tenacious midfielder through the reserves. Averaging 18 disposals in 11 games in his first season of AFL, if the Geelong Falcons product can turn it on in this weekend there may well be a spot in the seniors with his name on it.

TEAM

In: Tom Bell, Marco Paparone, Rohan Bewick, Rhys Mathieson, Cian Hanley

Out: Ryan Harwood (seniors), Allen Christensen (shoulder), Ryan Bastinac (seniors), Liam Dawson (seniors)