The Lions will have a larger-than-usual travelling squad when they fly out of Brisbane this afternoon, with both the senior and reserve side scheduled to play at TIO Stadium in Darwin this Saturday.

But both teams can expect a different type of experience in the Top End.

The Lions Reserves players will stay in a separate hotel, and are preparing for vastly different conditions than their senior counterparts, despite the NEAFL match being played just four hours before the ‘main event’ at the same venue.

“I think they will be two completely different games,” Reserves Coach Leigh Harding told lions.com.au.

“Our game will probably be more heat sapping given it’s being played in the afternoon, so our guys will have to deal with sweaty palms.

“By the time the seniors play, the ground will be dewy and it will get very humid and slippery.

“I expect the NEAFL game will be faster and more open, while the senior game will be tight, close and contested.”

The Round 18 NEAFL match will mark the first time that the Lions and NT Thunder have faced each other since last year’s Northern Conference Grand Final.

Playing in the Northern Territory won’t hold any fears for the Lions Reserves, who were successful on both trips there last season – including the Semi Final.

Another win in Darwin this Saturday would also give the Lions a perfect record on the road in 2013.

“We’ve had four travels this season, and this will be our last for the season,” Harding said.

“It would be great to keep the record intact, but it’s not going to be easy because we’re playing against a very good team.

“It’s no fluke that the NT Thunder have played off in the last two NEAFL Grand Finals, and their past 4-5 weeks have been particularly good. They have some key players that we will need to be very mindful of.”

Lions fans can watch the Round 18 NEAFL clash against the NT Thunder live online from 3:30pm (local time) courtesy of www.neafl.com.au and the NT Thunder’s official YouTube channel, Thunder Vision.