In September last year, Cheynee Stiller and Nathan Clarke held aloft the NEAFL Premiership Cup after helping guide the Lions Reserves to their first State League title in more than a decade.

This Sunday afternoon, the reigning NEAFL Premiership Captain and Coach will line-up for the first time against the side they shared in the glory with just nine months ago.

Stiller and Clarke both headed to rival NEAFL club Aspley during the off-season, and have been largely responsible for the Hornets’ rise to power in 2013.

Aspley currently sit third on the NEAFL ladder – behind the Lions (first) and Southport (second) – having dropped just three games.

Reserves Coach Leigh Harding, who replaced Clarke during the off-season, is expecting a fascinating match-up this Sunday at Coorparoo.

“It will be interesting,” Harding said of going up against such familiar opposition.

“A few boys have already put their hand up to play on Clarkey. He’s one of their most dangerous forwards. He’s a very smart footy player, so we need to be very mindful of him.

“Cheynee plays the predominantly on a wing, and can run up and down the ground all day. He’s been in terrific form as well.

“I actually think Aspley are one of the form teams of the NEAFL, especially over the last five weeks.

“They’re also coming off the Bye, so will be fresh and ready for what should be a really good challenge.”

The Hornets will boast another familiar face in the form of two-time Lions premiership player Robert Copeland.

“Copeland plays across half-back, and is really the general of their defence,” Harding said.

“So with Clarke up forward, Stiller in the middle and Copeland down back, they basically have a coach on each line. That is a huge advantage, and is probably where a lot of their improvement has come from,” Harding said.

With the exception of newcomers Michael Close, Marco Paparone, Nick Hayes, and Jordon Bourke, Clarke will have intimate knowledge of his former players.

“They’ll know a lot about our players, so I guess they’ll be using that to their advantage,” Harding said.

Lions fans will be able to witness one of the most highly anticipated NEAFL matches
 of the season, which will feature not only an almost full-strength Lions line-up, but some of the Club’s former greats in opposition colours.

The match will be played at Giffin Park, Coorparoo this Sunday 23 June starting at 12 noon.

This allows fans plenty of time to make their way to the Gabba afterwards to watch the senior team battle Geelong at 4:40pm.