Lions defender Joel Macdonald is one of three inclusions to the Lions senior team ahead of this Saturday night’s crucial clash with the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba. Robert Copeland and Matthew Moody have also been included in the team that is desperate to keep their 2008 AFL Finals hopes alive this weekend.

Macdonald returns from an ankle injury which has sidelined him since the AFL’s Second Bye Round at the beginning of July. He was one of the Club’s most attacking defenders before missing the past five matches.

Copeland returns for his 12th senior match for this season while Moody will play his first senior game for 2008 after overcoming a debilitating groin injury.

Moody has not played in the Lions’ senior team since Round 20 last year and is sure to add a bit of speed and creativity around goals.

Josh Drummond was forced out of the side after injuring his quad last weekend against Hawthorn in Tasmania while Tim Notting and Lachlan Henderson were both omitted.

The Lions have won their past six matches at the Gabba, although the Bulldogs have won the past five outings between the two sides.

The full Lions team is:

B: Joel Macdonald (26), Daniel Merrett (21), Joel Patfull (24)
HB: Justin Sherman (11), Jason Roe (29), Ashley McGrath (9)
C: Bradd Dalziell (34), Simon Black (20), Jed Adcock (7)
HF: Michael Rischitelli (35), Jonathan Brown (16), Jared Brennan (17)
F: Rhan Hooper (33), Daniel Bradshaw (36), Albert Proud (2)
Foll: Jamie Charman (19), Luke Power (6), Travis Johnstone (4))
Int: Colm Begley (46), Matthew Moody (10), James Hawksley (12), Robert Copeland (30)

Emerg: Lachlan Henderson (14), Anthony Corrie (18), Tim Notting (8)

IN: Joel Macdonald, Matthew Moody, Robert Copeland

OUT: Josh Drummond (quad), Tim Notting (omit), Lachlan Henderson (omit)