RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin dominated the Brisbane Lions in Sunday afternoon's 31-point win at Etihad Stadium in a performance that could either make or end his Brownlow Medal hopes.  

Martin is likely to have pocketed another three votes after collecting 40 possessions, kicking two goals and winning 14 clearances as the Tigers kicked away to win 16.16 (112) to 12.9 (81).

Full match coverage and stats

But as a freakish third quarter wound down he was baited by opponent Nick Robertson, who kneed him in the thigh, and retaliated with a light but closed-fisted clip around the neck area from behind that will be scrutinised by the Match Review Panel.

Robertson, who appeared to go down easily in that clash, was already on report for headbutting Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and gladly made himself enemy No.1 of the Tiger Army.

Martin's tangle with Robertson was the dramatic peak in a performance full of troughs for the Tigers, who hope to finish top four but have failed to perform at that standard in the past fortnight, failing to shake the Lions until late on Sunday. 

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They led from the opening minute until the final siren, but were only 11 points clear of the 18th-placed Lions halfway through the third quarter as a lack of discipline and killer-instinct took its toll.

When the shackles were released in the final term they kicked seven goals, but the Lions played the game out impressively with six of their own, and the four points are unlikely to satisfy coach Damien Hardwick.   

"It was a little bit frustrating," the coach said after the match.

"We played a pretty attacking style of footy at stages, but some of those errors we were committing across our half-forward line really hurt us on the scoreboard going the other way.

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"We can get better in that area. It's probably an area we've been a little bit inconsistent with at various stages, so it'll certainly be an area we'll be looking to work on this week."

Martin was unstoppable in the third quarter, winning 15 possessions and five clearances in that term alone and kicking one goal to continue his magnificent season.

Key forward Jack Riewoldt booted four goals, while small forwards Jason Castagna, Dan Butler and Daniel Rioli combined for six goals.

Dion Prestia was sent to Dayne Zorko in a run-with role and restricted the Lions' star to 11 possessions, while winning 19 himself and kicking a goal in what Hardwick said was his best performance for the club. 

Cotchin battled hard with 28 possessions (15 contested), while Anthony Miles was called on for his third game this season and impressed with 24 possessions.

The Lions were led by classy youngster Alex Witherden, who produced the best performance of his debut season to finish with 28 possessions and four inside 50s, using the ball with precision.

The Lions wouldn't have lost any fans in a plucky performance, making it hard for the Tigers to get any momentum through the game but lacking the polish to punish their more experienced opponents.

"We were still in the game at three-quarter time … (and) the last quarter was six goals to seven, so our blokes kept fighting on, which I was really pleased about," coach Chris Fagan said.

"We got smashed out of the centre bounces (20-4) – it was probably obvious for everyone to see – which got the game played in their half.

"I thought our defenders did a great job to defend that many inside-50s actually and keep them to 32 shots."

The Tigers had control of the match early on and kicked away to a 19-point lead at the first change.

After the club's worst loss of the season last week against St Kilda, Hardwick made personnel and structural changes that were working well, but the Tigers seemed to get comfortable with their early lead and mistakes crept into their game.

The Lions of 2017 are not the sort of 18th-placed team that you can afford to relax against, and they reminded the Tigers of that in a three-goal run in the second-quarter that cut the half-time margin to eight points.

Richmond is 4-11 in second quarters this season and Hardwick's men kicked 1.4 in a wasteful term that lacked the discipline and killer-instinct of a leading team.

A re-set was required at half-time and, after kicking 0.3 from the first five inside 50s of the third quarter, Riewoldt looked to spark the Tigers with some magic from the pocket.

The most engrossing battle of the quarter was taking place elsewhere in the forward line, however, as Martin isolated Robertson in a niggly battle that eventually boiled over with Martin's strike.

MEDICAL ROOM
Richmond: Defender Dylan Grimes suffered a nose injury in the second half that required treatment but was able to play out the game. Likewise, big man Ivan Soldo landed on his face in the second half and went off with the blood rule before returning.

Brisbane Lions: The Lions got through the match unscathed.

NEXT UP
The Tigers host Greater Western Sydney at the MCG in a high stakes clash next Sunday that will put their top-four credentials to the test. The Lions are back at the Gabba to host Carlton in the Sunday twilight slot. 

RICHMOND                 4.4       5.8       9.13     16.16 (112)
BRISBANE LIONS        1.3       4.6       6.8       12.9 (81)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Butler 3, Martin 2, Castagna 2, Edwards, Cotchin, Prestia, Rioli, B Ellis
Brisbane Lions: Keays 2, Schache 2, Hipwood 2, Cutler, Zorko, Bastinac, Mathieson, Walker, McCluggage

BEST 
Richmond: Martin, Prestia, Cotchin, Riewoldt, Butler, Short, Miles
Brisbane Lions: Witherden, Andrews, Taylor, McStay, Rich

INJURIES 
Richmond: Soldo (nose)
Brisbane Lions: Nil

Reports: Nick Robertson (Bris) for headbutting Trent Cotchin (Rich)

Umpires: Fisher, Deboy, Hosking

Official crowd: 28,188 at Etihad Stadium

The Lions weren't afraid to get in the Tigers' faces. Picture: Adam Trafford, AFL Photos