Lions Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke has spent a good chunk of this week poring over NT Thunder’s squad ahead of tomorrow’s NEAFL Grand Final; shaping a game plan, plotting strategy, and pencilling in match-ups.

Clarke says every time he skims over the reigning premiers’ list he’s amazed with ’how much quality they’ve got in so many positions, ’ and he’s maintained all year the Thunder is the toughest team in the competition.

The second-year Coach is coy about which players will be lining up next to each other at Yeronga on Sunday afternoon, but with the teams now finalised, here are the most important likely match-ups.

Justin Clarke (42) vs. Darren Ewing (2)

This is arguably the most important contest of the game. When Ewing’s on song, the Thunder very seldom lose, so it will be crucial for Clarke to keep the NEAFL’s second-highest goal-kicker contained. The youngest player at the Lions did a terrific job on ’boof ’ a fortnight ago, completely shutting NT’s spearhead out of the game and restricting him to one goal. However, Ewing’s bagged 340 goals in a prolific career, so it’s almost inevitable he will contribute on the scoreboard on Sunday. If Clarke can contain the big full-forward to three goals or less, it will go a long way towards winning the Lions the flag.

Jesse Wallin (64)  vs. Austin Wonaeamirri (39)

The Morningside youngster is set for a baptism of fire against the slippery former-Demon, who returned to the NT side for their preliminary final win and kicked three goals. This will only be Wallin’s second game in Lions colours, after he debuted against the Thunder in Darwin a fortnight ago, so there’ll no doubt be nerves playing in the biggest game of his life. If the kid is tentative, Wonaemirri could have a day out in the forward pocket - he’s the kind of bloke who often makes the most from limited opportunities.

Stephen Wrigley (48) vs. Brad Vassal (4)

First-year rookie Wrigley followed up his appearance for Queensland with a spot in the NEAFL team of the year at the Grogan Medal count this week - just reward for an outstanding 2012 season. The former Labrador lynchpin is the Reserves’ understated equivalent of Joel Patfull; stoic, hard-working and ever-reliable, and he’ll no doubt wear Vassal like a glove on Sunday. Nathan Clarke rates the Thunder half-forward’s body work and goal-sense highly, and he’s coming off a three-goal haul against the Sharks.

Cheynee Stiller (32) vs. Cameron Ilett (16)

The respective skippers have been named to line up on one another; if it eventuates it’ll be a cracker of a contest. Ilett was best afield against Southport; rallying his troops to almost singlehandedly win the game when the Sharks had a final-quarter sniff. Clarke rates Ilett as an ’absolutely wonderful player’ - he’s so good in fact, that many are mystified he hasn’t played AFL. Stiller, on the other hand, has 100 games of experience in the top flight, and he’ll relish the chance to face off with the best the NEAFL has to offer. While slightly undersized, Stiller has the running power to stay with Ilett all afternoon, and he’s sure to lift after being named as Captain ahead of James Hawksley.

James Hawklsey (12) vs. Matthew Argus (3)

Like Stiller on Ilett, this midfield match-up promises to be top shelf. It’s hard to say how long these two will run alongside each other, as Hawklsey’s versatility could see him called upon to fill a role anywhere on the field. Assuming they spend the bulk of the afternoon together, it’ll be interesting to see if either plays a negating role or if both men are given free rein to hunt the footy. Argus was a little down on his best last week, and he was relatively quiet both times the NT and Lions clashed this year. He’s due for a big game.

Aaron Cornelius (44) vs. Jason Roe (29)

Ex-Lion Roe will take either Cornelius or forward partner-in-crime Jordan Lisle on Sunday, but he’s been named to tackle Ace first-up. The spring-heeled Tasmanian will be licking his lips at the prospect of a big afternoon, after being head and shoulders above any key forward on the ground during the Darwin semi-final. Roe, who played 50 games for the Lions, has been irrepressible this year; igniting attacking thrusts from defence with his run-and-carry, while quelling the opposition’s best forward each week. The two men are virtually identical in height and weight-though Roe has a strength advantage. If Ace gets good delivery on the lead from his midfield and doesn’t get caught up in goalsquare grappling, it will go a long way to him taking the points in this battle.

Jack Fox (54) vs. Ben Rioli (33)

Like Wallin against Wonaemirri, this is another match-up that pits a fledgling footballer against an experienced one-albeit it at the other end of the ground. Rioli is a silky-skilled and free-running back pocket in the mould of Chris Johnson, and with one of the most famous surnames in football, the 18-year-old’s certain to attract recruiters’ attention heading towards the National Draft. Fox will concede plenty of height in this match-up, but his low centre of gravity, speed, and upper body strength have helped him more than hold his own against bigger players in his nine games this year. Fox is a tackling terror inside the forward 50 -in the mould of senior stars Dayne zorko and Josh Green- so Rioli will have a tough time dashing out of the backline.