Brisbane’s MCG hoodoo is alive after going down by an agonising seven points to Richmond on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers trailed by as much as 42 points late midway through the second term after the Lions jumped out of the blocks with a seven-goal to two opening term, but as this valiant side does, they never gave up hope.
With such a margin ahead of them, the Tigers incrementally chipped into the buffer throughout the second and third terms before finally getting within striking distance midway through the last quarter.
Daniel Rioli would initially put his side in front 16 minutes into the last quarter before both sides traded blows as the lead titled either way as the clock ran out.
Then finally, in the last minute with Richmond up by one point, a costly Darcy Gardiner turnover would hand the ball over with Tom Lynch kicking the sealer in the final 20 seconds of club legend Shane Edwards' 300th game.
With both sides having all to play for in the run-in to September, Richmond will be thrilled to return to the winner’s list for the first time since Round 16, while Brisbane’s top-four hopes are in considerable doubt as they sit fifth with three games remaining.
For Richmond, their spark was created by livewire Shai Bolton, whose two goals and 24 disposals helped turn the game after half-time.
The superstar was helped by the likes of Lynch (four goals), Trent Cotchin (23 disposals) and youngster Noah Cumberland (five goals).
For the Lions, Hugh McCluggage (one goal, 26 disposals) and Lachie Neale (30 disposals) were solid, while Eric Hipwood (four goals) and Joe Daniher (three goals) threatened to break the game apart early.
In addition, Brisbane’s losing streak at the MCG now extends to 11, with their last victory at the famous venue coming in Round 21, 2014.
Considering the Grand Final will be hosted at their bogey ground, the defeat adds further legitimacy over the doubts of Chris Fagan’s side to compete at the business end.
On the injury front, both sides leave the game with concerns with Brisbane’s Zac Bailey sent to hospital for a check-up after injuring his ribs while Richmond co-captain Dylan Grimes suffered another soft tissue injury as he was subbed out of the game in the third term with a hamstring.
Richmond’s win hands them outright ninth spot on 10 and a half wins, while the Lions now sit a game behind Melbourne and Collingwood who both have 14 wins to their name.
The Lions will need to win at least two more games to land a top-four finish, and that’ll be easier said than done with Carlton next week before facing St Kilda (away) and Melbourne on the run home.
For the Tigers, they’ll hope to stay on the winner’s list for the rest of the campaign and that could start next Saturday away against Port Adelaide before they finish the season with games against Hawthorn and Essendon.
FULL SCORE
Richmond: 2.3, 5.6, 11.10, 15.14. (105)
Brisbane: 7.2, 11.6, 13.9, 14.13 (97)
GOALS
Richmond: Cumberland 5, Lynch 4, Bolton 2, Riewoldt 2, Rioli, Short
Brisbane: Hipwood 4, Daniher 3, Cameron 2, McCarthy 2, McCluggage, Rayner, Robinson
BEST
Richmond: Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch, Noah Cumberland, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia, Jayden Short
Brisbane: Keidean Coleman, Hugh McCluggage, Eric Hipwood, Joe Daniher, Dayne Zorko
INJURIES
Richmond: Dylan Grimes (hamstring)
Brisbane: Zac Bailey (ribs)