The NEAFL boys have wrung out the guernsey's from last week’s loss during the big wet in Canberra and will be looking to take a chunk out of the Sharks finals hopes on the Gold Coast this Saturday afternoon.

The Lions welcome back Jono Freeman, Marco Paparone and Josh Clayton whilst the Sharks will be without former Collingwood and Fremantle forward Jack Anthony who was stretchered off in their win over Aspley.

Reserves Coach Shane Woewodin will be looking for a four quarter effort, as single quarter blow-outs continued to hurt the Lion cubs last week against the Demons.

SWINGING THE HAMMER

Last year he was the Reserves leading goalkicker with 23, but this year rookie Matthew Hammelmann has been making some serious inroads as a key back. The 197cm prospect put in the yards at the gym in the off-season and is now throwing his weight around, averaging 17 disposals and 7 marks in the past month. It’s another string to the former Morningside junior’s bow as he pushes for a spot on the senior list.

A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE

As well as the three listed players, Hyundai Help for Kids Academy jets Jacob Allison and Jack Rolls have been called into the side. 193cm utility Allison and accumulating midfielder Jack Rolls have been busy with representative duties for Queensland, as well as being named in the Allies team, which is comprised of the best from the Division 2 states. It will be the first glimpse of Allison in the maroon, blue and gold this year, whilst Rolls played in the Round 5 loss to Sydney.

Allison and Rolls will join a Lions Reserves side which is starting to take shape, with Mathieson in the engine room, Clayton and William running the ball, whilst forwards Hipwood, Freeman and Close will combine to create a headache for the Sharks tall defenders. 

WHERE AND WHEN: Fankhauser Reserve, Southport. Saturday June 11, 12.00pm.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 1, 2015: Southport 14.14 (98) def. Lions Reserves 13.12 (90) at Salk Oval, Palm Beach.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR...

Rhys Mathieson. After his campaign was brought to a halt by a Jeremy Cameron bump in the pre-season, Mathieson would be raring to crack into the senior team after a taste of the action during his senior games v Melbourne and Hawthorn. The competitive fire that Justin Leppitsch calls for clearly burns in Mathieson, who averaged 14 disposals in the senior side. Mathieson's defensive efforts will need to bolster his ball winning abilities if he is to earn reselection, and against Canberra he showed his willing with 9 tackles. Coupled with 29 disposals, another week like that and Beastmode will be hard to ignore.

Team

In: Josh Clayton, Marco Paparone, Jonathan Freeman, Josh McGuinness

Out: Archie Smith, Hugh Beasley