September Superman Clark Keating has shown he is human after all by succumbing to illness on the eve of the Brisbane Lions' AFL qualifying final clash with St Kilda.

Keating is in doubt for Friday night's Gabba showdown after being quarantined from the triple premiers and missing the training session with a virus.

Coach Leigh Matthews, who also engaged in mind games with the Saints by questioning their wet-weather credentials as showers are forecast, sent his ruckman home to stop illness spreading through his team.

Brad Scott, recalled to replace injured spearhead Alastair Lynch, was struck down by a 24-hour virus earlier this week and assistant coach Craig Lambert was also sick.

"(Keating) is ill today. So I think it will be a last-minute have a look at him tomorrow," Matthews said of the 28-year-old's selection chances.

"It only seems to last 24 hours but there's some doubt if you're not training tonight."

The Lions would be stretched in the ruck division without Keating, relying solely on raw youngster Dylan McLaren and using Darryl White or Tim Notting as pinch hitters.

Untried 18-year-old Llane Spaanderman (198cm) has been named as an emergency.

But for someone who has overcome serious shoulder and foot injuries to bolster the Lions in the charge to their three past premierships, it seems unlikely a common cold will prevent Keating from lining up.

Certainly, St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is not looking to change any of his plans, even though Brisbane would be highly vulnerable without its senior big man.

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