It hasn’t been an ideal start to the season for the Lions Reserves, however the boys will be looking to register their first win of the season when they play their first interstate game for the year against 4th placed Sydney University.

Both teams are coming back from a week’s break with Sydney University losing by 43 points to Aspley in the last game they played – a team the Lions Reserves only narrowly lost to by 3 points a few weeks ago.

The Lions Reserves are without Josh McGuinness,  Marco Paparone and Hugh Beasley who lined up for them against Sydney two weeks ago but welcome back Nick Robertson who makes 13 listed players taking the field tomorrow.

WHERE AND WHEN

Blacktown International Sports Park (Sydney), Saturday, May 14, 11:00am

MATHIESON’S RHYS-URGENCE

Rhys Mathieson was one step closer to an AFL call-up this week after being named as an emergency for Saturday night’s clash against the Pies. Mathieson played full game time two weeks ago in the Reserves clash against the Swans and his work inside the contests was commendable. Rhys will be looking to make more of an impact outside the contests this week to strengthen his bid for a spot in the seniors.

DEBUTANTS GALORE

Sydney University have named four fresh faces to take on the Lions Reserves outfit. Kane Murphy, Max Wilson, Daniel Preen and Tom McCaffrey will all make their debut in Sydney Uni colours with talented youngster and top-up player Liam Molan making his debut for the Lions Reserves. The Lions will need to be wary of Murphy who was one of Sydney Uni’s biggest off-season recruits and is the son of Sydney champion and Swans’ Team of the Century member David.

ABSENT STEVENSON EVENS THE PLAYING FIELD

Sydney University will be without their star midfielder Lewis Stevenson who is currently 3rd on the NEAFL MVP leaderboard. The former West Coast Eagles and Port Power player has averaged 27 disposals per game, including a whopping 39 disposal-game against the NT Thunder. His absence will be noticeable on the field and the Lions will be looking to use this to their advantage.

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…

Jono Freeman. Coach Shane Woewodin has said that Jono isn’t in the best of form at the moment with only four touches for three weeks in a row. However, the tall forward will be looking to increase his work rate and make a contest.

FORM

Brisbane (10th): LLLLL
Sydney University (4th): LWWWL

LAST TIME THEY MET

Rd 15, 2015: Sydney University 16.7 (103) d Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) @ Blacktown International Sports Park

TEAM

AFL LISTED PLAYER CHANGES

IN: Nick Robertson
OUT: Josh McGuinness, Hugh Beasley, Marco Paparone