AFTER a successful return from injury last weekend, Lions defender Josh Drummond believes Brisbane now has the right backline balance to push for a permanent top eight spot.
Drummond made his comeback in Brisbane's 33-point win over Carlton after missing seven weeks with a quad injury.
And his trademark 60m goal showed there were no ill effects from the strain.
But ahead of Sunday's match against fellow top eight hopeful St Kilda at the Gabba, Drummond said the Lions' defensive unit now had a good look about it.
While Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw get the wraps up front, and the onball brigade led by Simon Black, Luke Power and Jared Brennan receive rave reviews in the middle, the defensive unit is quietly going about its business.
Jason Roe returned from injury with Drummond last week, and Ash McGrath teamed with regulars Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull and Joel Macdonald in the back six.
"I think there's a really good mix at the moment,'' Drummond said of the defenders.
"It felt really good even training last week, we had a good feel in terms of the set-up we have.
"Strawbs (Merrett) and Joel Patfull generally take the big forwards, they do a great job doing that. Joel Mac has had a huge year so far, and myself, Ash and Roey playing down there as small defenders it's just a good mix between attack and defence.
"Every player brings something different McGrath with his pace and Rog (Merrett) and Joely with their defensive ability and myself and Roey and Joel (Macdonald) trying to bring the ball out and hit targets and set-up."
The 25-year-old said St Kilda would pose a whole new set of problems.
With Fraser Gehrig on the long-term injury list and Nick Reiwoldt a 50-50 proposition, the Saints will likely have a smaller forward set-up than usual.
"It will probably make them more mobile," Drummond said.
"You can't really afford to have too much height up forward because the other sides just sweep the ball out down the other end in 10 seconds. It gives them a new look and makes them quicker and perhaps makes them better to trap the ball in their forward line.
"We've definitely got to lock down and everyone has to beat their opponent but then when we've got the footy we've got to take off and be bold.
"It's a big game, we've got a really important stretch this next month or so because we're playing teams that are thereabouts with us."
Drummond said it was important the Lions won its home matches and again turned the Gabba into a "fortress", a reputation the ground had lost over the previous couple of seasons.
He said it was no use even talking about finals at this stage.
"We haven't won two games in a row so far so it's no good to keep talking about this potential and talking about how good you can play if you're not doing it week to week."
Drummond's importance to Brisbane was shown in the fact he was bought straight back into the team without having to go through the reserves.
His precision kicking from the back half often sets up a lot of Brisbane's attacking thrusts, but the raking left-footer says he's just doing his job.
"My endurance isn't great, I'm not overly quick so Leigh makes a point to work on your weaknesses but you have to make your strength a real strength and make them stand out," he said.
"I don't have the pace to burn blokes off and I don't have the endurance to run blokes off so I've got to use other strengths."
