The Brisbane Lions Reserves might have only lost two games throughout the entire 2013 NEAFL home-and-away season, but Coach Leigh Harding believes Aspley deserves favouritism heading into Saturday’s Semi Final.

Aspley are arguably the form side of the competition, having secured wins against 2011 Premiers NT Thunder and NEAFL powerhouse Southport away from home in consecutive weeks.

Harding was particularly impressed with the Hornets’ performance against the odds in last Saturday’s Qualifying Final, when they piled on 10 final quarter goals to stun the second-placed Sharks by 44 points.

“That was a superb last quarter,” Harding said after witnessing the match live at Fankhauser Reserve.

“For them to come back from Darwin, after beating the NT Thunder, and kicking 10 goals in last quarter shows their quality.

“We know first-hand how hard it is to win in Darwin, and couldn’t get the job done against the Thunder.

“I said earlier in the year that Aspley are one of the best teams in the NEAFL competition, and they’ve only gotten stronger since. They’re in red-hot form.”

The Lions’ task will be made even tougher with Jared Polec and James Polkinghorne ruled out with injuries, and key big men Jordan Lisle and Sam Michael joining the senior team in Geelong.

They will, however, regain handy half-forward Marco Paparone and Callum Bartlett for the all-important clash.

“Having Marco back is important as he provides us with run and carry, but we’ve also lost a couple of big boys in Lisle and Michael who are crucial to our structure,” Harding said.

“I think we’ll have 14 or so listed guys playing, and that’s all we’re allowed to have on the ground.”

In the opposition camp this Saturday will be Hyundai Lions Academy member Isaac Conway, who was also part of the Lions Reserves’ NEAFL premiership campaign last year.

But Conway will be wearing Hornets colours this weekend. 

“That will be interesting. I guess we know his strength and weaknesses, which could be an advantage,” Harding said.

“He was best on the field against Southport and is in good form. He’s played a lot more on the ball of late, so we’ll need to be very mindful of him.”

Further in Aspley’s favour is the fact that the match will be played at their home ground.

But despite having a number of factors conspiring against his team, Harding says the lure of another Grand Final berth is motivation enough for his players.

“You don’t get many opportunities to play in Grand Finals at any level, so it’s a huge motivation,” Harding said.

“The worst case scenario if we lose is that we front up again next week in the Preliminary Final for another crack.

“But the carrot is that if we win this Saturday, we go straight through to the Grand Final.”

The Lions Reserves will face Aspley at 1:30pm this Saturday 31 August @ Graham Road, Aspley

Fans can watch a LIVE FEED of the match at www.neafl.com.au