After upsetting the Lions by 37 points in round 15, the Bombers then lost to Richmond by four points in a thriller last week.

"Richmond are going to come into this game with a lot of confidence, because they've been playing some good footy," Black said.

"It's not that different to Essendon, who were in good form when we came up against them.

"We got off to a slow start against Essendon and they jumped us – we have to make sure we start much better this week."

Sherman and the fit-again Adcock return to the Lions' side in place of the omitted Rhan Hooper and Scott Harding.

The Tigers have made two changes of their own, bringing Matthew Richardson and Daniel Jackson in for Cleve Hughes (injured back) and Dean Polo.

Brisbane Lions
B: Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Robert Copeland, Jason Roe, Ashley McGrath
C: Anthony Corrie, Simon Black, Tim Notting
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Jared Brennan
F: Cheynee Stiller, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
Foll: Jamie Charman, Luke Power, Travis Johnstone
I/C: Tom Collier, Bradd Dalziell, Jed Adcock, Justin Sherman
EMG: Rhan Hooper, James Hawksley, Scott Harding

Richmond
B: Chris Newman, Will Thursfield, Kelvin Moore
HB: Jordan McMahon, Luke McGuane, Matt White
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio
HF: Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Mitch Morton
F: Nathan Brown, Jay Schulz, Shane Edwards
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley
I/C: Adam Pattison, Richard Tambling, Daniel Jackson, Joel Bowden
EMG: Chris Hyde, Danny Meyer, Greg Tivendale

Punters keen on the Lions' chances of making it back-to-back wins will be encouraged by their odds – at $2.25, Leigh Matthews' side is a pronounced outsider headed into the weekend. A Lions win by less than 39 points or less is even more tasty at $2.70.

From a longer-term perspective, the $10 on offer about the Lions making the top four might also be attractive. They are currently six points off fourth spot, but that could be back to two points after the weekend if the Sydney Swans lose to Adelaide. A quote of $6 for the Lions finishing the home-and-away season as the highest-placed non-Victorian side might also hold interest.

Joel Patfull (Lions) v Matthew Richardson (Richmond): Just who the Lions choose to play on Richardson is an interesting pre-match query. If the teams line up as named, wingman Tim Notting would get the job – which certainly isn't out of the question. However, it seems likely that Patfull will spend at least some time on Richardson, particularly when the Tigers' big man goes forward. Whatever the case, shutting down Richo, who averages almost three goals and more than 11 marks per game, will be a top priority.

* Bradd Dalziell's 32 possessions against West Coast last week marked a record debut since 1993, when statistics started being kept in earnest. Of those behind him in the top-10, the likes of Michael Voss (Lions), Paul Hasleby (Fremantle) and Guy Rigoni (Melbourne) have all gone on to have pretty fair careers. Dean Polo (Richmond), Andrew Walker and Dennis Armfield (both Carlton) are still developing, while Donald Dickie (Port Adelaide), Brodie Atkinson (St Kilda) and Brad Murphy (Western Bulldogs) are long gone. Brad who?

* While the Lions away form – 2-5 on the season – isn't where they'd like it to be, it may not actually be a bad thing to be meeting Richmond in Melbourne. The Tigers are 3-1 on interstate trips this year, but, oddly enough, only 2-6 in designated home games. Mind you, those eight home games include clashes with top-eight sides North Melbourne, Collingwood, St Kilda, Geelong and Adelaide.

* Contrasting styles for both sides' chief goal-kickers. The Lions' Jonathan Brown (54 goals) and Daniel Bradshaw (54) have taken 203 marks between them, with 138 of them (68 per cent) coming inside the forward 50m. Bradshaw has taken almost 85 per cent of his marks within the attacking arc. On the other hand, Richardson has taken only 46 of his 157 marks inside the forward 50m – less than 30 per cent. Ditto for Nathan Brown at 28 per cent.