The Brisbane Lions Reserves will face the Gold Coast Suns in an historic ANZAC Day match at Mackay’s Harrup Park this Thursday 25 April to kick-off Round 6 of the 2013 NEAFL season.

The match will not only be a major local event for the Mackay community, but also for Lions fans Australia-wide who will be able to watch a live stream of the game courtesy of the NEAFL website.

While the Lions comfortably accounted for the Suns by 110 points just two weeks ago at Metricon Stadium, you would expect there to be some significant changes to both sides.

When the two sides last met, Sam Docherty, Marco Paparone and Callum Bartlett were among the Lions’ best.

Docherty and Paparone have since been elevated to the senior side, while Bartlett is still sidelined after receiving a facial fracture during that match. Patrick Wearden is also unavailable after he was brutally felled by a Suns opponent back in Round 4.

With the senior squad set to be announced on Thursday afternoon, the Lions will no doubt have some tough decisions to make on who travels to North Queensland on Wednesday.

There will be at least one forced change to the senior team following Pearce Hanley’s one-match suspension, while Ash McGrath will undergo a fitness test on his leg injury later in the week.

Either way, Reserves Coach Leigh Harding expects his side will be depleted compared to last time.

“It’s hard to tell what our numbers are looking like, but I don’t think we’ll have the 17-18 listed players we’ve had in recent weeks,” Harding said.

“It will definitely be our most inexperienced side (for the year).”

“With the seniors playing on Sunday, we need to hold some guys back in case they get a call-up.”

“We’ve played the Suns a couple of times already this year, but our side will have changed a bit – and I suspect there’s will as well.”

“I’d say we’ll have quite a few Academy kids as top-ups. But they’ve been really good all season. We had seven last weekend.”

Harding said the occasion would prove a great experience for his young team.

“It will be a good opportunity for the guys to get away together and enjoy each other’s company,” he said.  

“It really is an honour to be playing on ANZAC Day, and great for the fans in Mackay to witness the match live.”

The Lions will face the Gold Coast on ANZAC Day (this Thursday 25 April) from 2:10pm at Harrup Park, Mackay.

Fans can also watch a live stream of the match courtesy of the NEAFL website.