Drummond, Macdonald out for Lions

THE BRISBANE Lions will go into Saturday night's elimination final against Carlton with an undermanned defence after Josh Drummond and Joel Macdonald were withdrawn from the final side.

Drummond was in a race to recover from a quad strain and was backed in at selection on Thursday night, however, it is unclear why Macdonald has lost his place.

One of the competition's best rebounding backmen, Drummond has played 19 of the Lions' 22 games this season.

Macdonald has played all 22 and, like Drummond, should figure prominently in the club's best and fairest count.

Small forward Rhan Hooper and midfielder James Hawksley, who was dropped this week, have taken their spots.

The Brisbane Lions have not visited September since 2004's grand final, while Carlton's wait has been longer: a semi-final in 2001.