The Brisbane Lions Reserves will travel for the third time in as many matches to face the UWS Giants in Blacktown on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions flew to Mackay for the ANZAC Day clash in Round 6 and then to Sydney the following week to play the Swans, before being afforded a short break courtesy of last week’s Bye.

Now they’re headed to Greater Western Sydney to face the Giants, who they defeated by 39 points back in Round 3 at Coorparoo.

But Reserves Coach Leigh Harding expects a vastly different UWS outfit this time around.

“I got out the magnets earlier in the week, and only half a dozen players from the team we played a few weeks ago are the same. They’ll have a fair few changes since last time and so will we,” Harding said.

“The Giants have a lot of players on their list – I think it’s around 52 – so have the luxury of having more people to choose from.”

The Lions will also field a strong side, with Callum Bartlett expected to make his return from a fractured cheekbone and Josh Green set for his first NEAFL hitout for the year.

“Cal Bartlett will play as long he gets through training,” Harding said.

“Patrick Wearden should also be back in 3-4 weeks, along with Jared Polec.”

The Lions Reserves will play UWS Giants at 12pm this Saturday 18 May at Blacktown International Sports Park.