THE BRISBANE Lions' faint hopes of upsetting Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Sunday have taken a severe blow, with playmaker Daniel Rich withdrawing with injury.

Rich, who sustained a hamstring strain in last week's loss to North Melbourne, was initially named in the Lions' line-up to take on the Cats but was ruled out on Saturday afternoon after pulling up sore after training.

In announcing the news, the Lions tweeted: "Daniel Rich is a late withdrawal for tomorrow's match. Emergencies Billy Evans and Liam Dawson have both travelled."

The winless Lions are running low on quality in the midfield with skipper Tom Rockliff (calf) also a casualty from the Kangaroos clash and Dayne Beams sidelined indefinitely with knee tendinitis.

Rich had started the season strongly in the loss to West Coast in Perth with 23 possessions (10 contested), 11 tackles, four clearances, eight inside 50s and two goals.