Former AFL Premiership ruckman Jamie Charman believes the current crop of young Brisbane Lions players are as good as he’s seen throughout his time with the Club.

As the Lions Reserves prepare for their first State League Grand Final in 11 years this Sunday, Charman - who is now a valuable member of the Club’s off-field staff - said the strong bond among the players has certainly helped in their pursuit for success.

“There is really good group coming through,” Charman said.

“They’re really tight and get on so well with each other. It’s great for our young guys, and will no doubt help the Club in the future.”

“The intensity definitely lifts in Grand Finals, and that experience will help make their transition into senior football a bit easier.”

Charman himself was a member of the Club’s first, and only, QAFL Premiership side back in 2001 - his debut AFL season.

And although the team overran hot favourites Southport with a big second half that day, the big ruckman’s day didn’t quite go as planned.

“I had played up forward throughout the whole Finals Series, but (Reserves Coach) Craig Brittain put me in the ruck because he expected a pretty fiery opening,” Charman recalled.

“But I ended up only playing five minutes before a guy from Southport belted me in the eye. I think it happened in the second centre bounce of the game.”

“My eye haemorrhaged and I was taken to hospital to get it checked out. It’s fair to say that I was filthy!”

“I managed to get back to the ground in the last quarter and watched the rest of the match from the sidelines.”

“Southport were all about trying to intimidate us younger guys, but towards the end our fitness levels got us over the line in the last quarter.”

“I also remember seeing Aaron Shattock clean up a bloke with a pretty big hit which really lifted the team.”

“We had a fair crew back then - with guys like Shatts, Dylan McLaren, Craig Bolton, Marcus Picken and Richard Hadley.”

The Lions Reserves will be hoping to replicate the Club’s feat from 2001 this Sunday when they host the NT Thunder in the 2012 NEAFL Grand Final at Yeronga.

Watch the match LIVE online courtesy of the NT Thunder's YouTube page