RICHMOND has survived a second-half scare against the Brisbane Lions to lock in its first finals appearance for 12 years.
Tigers full-forward Jack Riewoldt kicked his only goal of the game late in the final term to secure the 14.13 (97) to 11.8 (74) win on Saturday at the MCG.
Five talking points: Richmond v Brisbane Lions
While they dropped off badly after half-time, Richmond now has 13 wins and cannot fall from the top eight.
When Pearce Hanley goaled 20 minutes into the last term, the Lions only trailed by 16 points.
But Riewoldt's superb goal from an acute angle sealed the Tigers' win.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin was best afield with 30 disposals, while Hanley and Tom Rockliff were prominent in the Brisbane Lions' revival.
Richmond did not kick a goal in the third term as the Lions steadily worked themselves into the game.
Tigers coach Damian Hardwick was far from impressed with his team's forward-line.
"I don't know what our set-shot conversion was today, but I guarantee you it wasn't great, so we'll be doing some work on that this week," he said.
Click here to vote for the three best Richmond players from the game
The Lions kicked seven goals to three in the second half.
Brent Staker's great kick from an acute angle at 25 minutes was their third for the quarter and they were only 26 points behind at the last change.
The Lions had won four of their last five games, but the Tigers overwhelmed them in the first half.
Click here to vote for the three best Brisbane Lions players from the game
The Lions were also without captain Jonathan Brown, whose outstanding career might be over after he suffered a foot injury last weekend.
In-form Tigers midfielder Daniel Jackson set the tone of the first half when he snapping the opening goal in the second minute.
It took the Lions 22 minutes until they kicked their first goal through Daniel Rich and Michael Voss bemoaned the slow start that he felt cost his team the game.
"We've certainly looked at all different methods and just how we start the game and we've explored different ways of trying to keep the scoreboard in check, but it gets away from us and that's when you end up chasing, " he said.
The Tigers kicked another two, including a booming shot from Luke McGuane after the siren, to be 29 points at quarter time.
The Lions fell apart early in the second term, barely touching the ball in the opening eight minutes as Richmond ran amuck.
McGuane kicked his third and Shaun Grigg kicked two as Richmond stormed ahead.
The highlight of the quarter for the Tigers was a superb running goal from Matt White at 22 minutes.
The only statistic where Richmond did not dominate in the second term was the most critical - the score.
The Lions did well to restrict the damage, kicking three goals to Richmond's five in the second term for a 45-point deficit.
Adding to the Lions' problems, midfielder Brent Moloney was subbed out of the game at the main break with a leg injury.
Brent Moloney chases after Trent Cotchin at the MCG. Moloney was subbed out of the game at half-time with hamstring tightness. Picture: AFL Media
RICHMOND 6.2 11.7 11.9 14.13 (97)
BRISBANE LIONS 1.3 4.4 7.7 11.8 (74)
GOALS
Richmond: McGuane 3, Conca 3, Vlastuin, Morris, Jackson, Grigg, Foley, Ellis, Riewoldt, White
Brisbane Lions: Mayes 3, Staker 2, Green 2, Hanley 2, Rich, Merrett
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Conca, Houli, Ellis, Maric, Foley
Brisbane Lions: Rockiff, Hanley, Green, Mayes, Redden, Rich
INJURIES
Richmond: Chris Newman (ankle)
Brisbane Lions: Justin Clarke (shoulder), Brent Moloney (hamstring tightness)
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Robin Nahas replaced by Shane Tuck in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Brent Moloney replaced by Sam Docherty at half-time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Farmer, Harris
Official crowd: 46,961 at the MCG
