Hardly surprising, considering the Lions are fresh from a week off, and they’ve twice bested the Thunder in the Top End in 2012 - including a 34-point Semi Final victory a fortnight ago.
But Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke sees things a little differently.
“I know a lot of people are talking up our chances, but to be honest I think NT deserves to be favourites,” Clarke explained.
“Yes, we’ve beaten them before this year, but that won’t necessarily count for anything come Sunday. We’ve got a hell of a lot of respect for them.”
Clarke cites big-game experience and a ’perfectly balanced list’ as two big boons for the reigning Premiers, and doesn’t reckon the long trip south will adversely affect Daniel Archer’s men.
“Yes, it is a bit of a trek from Darwin, but they [Thunder] are undefeated in Brisbane all year. In fact, they’re undefeated in all of South-East Queensland. I don’t think the travel will be an issue at all.”
The match will be streamed LIVE courtesy of the NT Thunder's YouTube page
The Lions are set to be bolstered by the inclusion of Elliot Yeo, Jordan Lisle, Claye Beams, James Hawksley and Amon Buchanan - who all missed the second Semi Final due to senior AFL commitments.
After yesterday’s main training session at Yeronga, Clarke says there were “about 18 or 19 listed players” available for selection, so it should be one of the Lions’ strongest sides of the year.
The Lions can include up to 18 listed players for Sunday’s Grand Final, with 14 allowed on the field at once. That means there will be five ’top-ups’ from the Hyundai Lions Academy and Western Magpies - probably including the likes of utility Scott Clarke and young gun Isaac Conway.
The Semi Final in Darwin two weeks ago was a free-flowing affair, with both teams using the wide expanses of Palmerston Oval to break to the fringes and move the ball quickly all night.
Watch the highlights from the second Semi Final in Darwin
Yeronga is a significantly smaller ground, so Sunday’s rematch looks set to be a much tighter affair.
“I’m expecting a really close and physical game on Sunday; lots of contests and tough Grand Final footy,” said Clarke.
“NT is obviously a good running side, but they are very strong at winning contested footy too - so there’s no doubt it’ll be close. I’m not expecting too many seven or eight-goal quarters that’s for sure.”
Clarke says his charges have had the “best possible preparation” for Sunday, with the week off a welcome chance to reiterate game plans, plot strategy, and rest weary bodies.
The oft-repeated Coaches’ mantra ’it’s just another game’ isn’t applicable for this week; “as much as you try to keep it just like any other game, let’s be honest-it’s not. It’s a Grand Final,” Clarke conceded.
“It is very exciting - our first Grand Final in 11 years. It would be great to get as many fans out there as possible at Yeronga, hopefully a few thousand, to see this team for the last time in 2012, and hopefully celebrate a flag.”
While the main game begins at 2pm on Sunday, there’ll be a full day of Grand Final festivities, including a women’s exhibition match, the SEQAFL Cup finale, a parade of champions and club kicking challenge.
Half-time of the NEAFL decider will feature NAB AFL Auskick, AFL 9’s and the traditional interclub sprint, and post-match fans are encouraged to bring their own footballs for a traditional kick-to-kick on the main oval.
Gates open at 8:30am, the first game starts at 10am, and the Lions’ main event against NT kicks off at 2pm.
Check out the full details - including event information - surrounding this Sunday's NEAFL Grand Final at Yeronga
