If their past two meetings against Aspley this season are any indication, then the Brisbane Lions Reserves can expect a physical encounter in this Sunday’s NEAFL premiership decider at Yeronga.

Aspley have been the competition’s bolters, rising from ninth place in 2012 to securing a Grand Final berth just 12 months later.

While the off-season recruitment of former Lions Cheynee Stiller and Nathan Clarke has given the club a massive boost this season, it’s the Hornets’ even contribution that is largely responsible for their vast improvement.

They had three players – Stiller, Michael Hutchinson and Ryan Matthews – named in the 2013 NEAFL Team of the Year, with Stiller also finished equal fourth in the Grogan Medal count.

Meanwhile, James Nelis and Clarke have spearheaded Aspley’s attack with 42 and 41 goals respectively – enough to see both ranked inside the NEAFL’s top 10.

The two forwards were kept relatively quiet in their last meeting with the Lions in the Semi Final, with Bourke manning the 190cm Nelis, and Wearden matching-up against his former NEAFL premiership coach Clarke.

But those two aren’t Aspley’s only avenues to goal – as Southport discovered last Sunday.

In fact, Stiller (29), former Essendon rookie Austin Lucy (26), Adam Hughes (23), Daniel Smith (22) and former Kangaroo Eddie Sansbury (22) have all booted 20-plus goals this season.

Lions Reserves Coach Leigh Harding will have his work cut out trying to find suitable match-ups for Aspley’s arsenal.

“They’ve been incredibly consistent with the way they’ve gone about their business,” Harding told lions.com.au.

“We’ll likely go with similar match-ups to those from the Semi Final, although you can probably expect a few surprises here and there,” Harding told lions.com.au.

“We’ll have a largely unchanged team from last time, with the exception of a few handy additions, so they’re probably going to have to change their game to match our blokes.”

“In terms of the game-style, I suspect it’s going to be a physical encounter. They have harder bodies and will probably try and test our boys. It will definitely be a good contested game.”

The couple of ‘handy additions’ Harding eluded two are Jordan Lisle and Sam Michael, both of whom are expected to line-up for the Reserves after missing the Semi Final with senior duties.

Lisle, in particular, provides a massive boost for the Lions following a standout NEAFL season.

“Jordan is very likely to play, and that could potentially stretch them a little bit down back,” Harding said.

“He’s a guy who’s played six AFL seasons, has kicked 40-odd goals in half the matches this season, and has a cool head in big games.”