The Thunder qualified for their second consecutive season decider with a comfortable 37-point win over local powerhouse Southport in last Saturday’s Preliminary Final, while the Lions were able to freshen up with a well-earned weekend off.
Both competing teams should be quite familiar with each other, having met only two weeks ago in the second Semi Final at Palmerston Oval, Darwin, with the Lions prevailing by 34 points in a highly entertaining contest.
The Lions Reserves are likely to receive a significant boost on the eve of their first State League Grand Final in 11 years, with a host senior-listed players set to return.
Elliot Yeo, Amon Buchanan, James Hawksley, Jordan Lisle and Claye Beams - who all missed the second Semi Final due to senior AFL commitments - have continued training with the Reserves squad post-season and will be available for selection.
All five players made significant contributions to the Reserves side throughout the season, and are determined to help deliver the Club its first piece of silverware since the 2003 AFL Premiership.
Rules stipulate that only players who have represented the Lions Reserves on three or more occasions throughout the season are eligible to play in the NEAFL Finals.
Also, only 14 listed Lions players are allowed on the field at any one time. The rest of the team will be made up by players from the Western Magpies - with whom the Club has an alliance - and the Hyundai Lions Academy.
As well as earning the title of Northern Conference Premiers, the winner will also proceed to next week’ NEAFL cross-conference championship match against the eventual Premiers from the Eastern Conference (which is being played between the Sydney Swans and Queanbeyan this Sunday).
The Lions Reserves' squad will train at Yeronga this Thursday and Saturday morning.
