RICHMOND could shoehorn itself into the top four tonight with win over Brisbane and, even better, slash the gap on the ladder between itself and the second-placed Lions to just two points. 

THE LADDER Where is your team sitting?

The Tigers were back to their best last week as they destroyed the Bulldogs, inspired by a Dustin Martin masterclass 

It is a Richmond home game and thus will be played at Metricon Stadium, kicking off at 7.10pm AEST. 

ROUNDS 9-12 Check out the full fixture

Composed defender Nick Vlastuin returns from a calf injury to play his 150th match, replacing Oleg Markov, who has been omitted.

The Lions have only made one change after their Friday night thrashing of Essendon, with former Hawthorn gun Grant Birchall being rested for the clash.

The 32-year-old, who has played eight games this season, will not play as the Lions take a careful approach with his body during the AFL's compressed fixture block.

Key defender Jack Payne has been brought in for the Lions to make his AFL debut against the reigning premiers.

These teams' most recent encounter was in last year's qualifying final, in which Richmond won by an imposing 47 points that sent it straight into the preliminary final.

Martin, Richmond's superstar, was outstanding in that game with a commanding six-goal effort.