Richmond have survived a second-half scare against Brisbane to lock in their first AFL 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.
While they dropped off badly after halftime, Richmond now have 13 wins and cannot drop out of the top eight.
When Pearce Hanley goalled at 20 minutes in the last term, the Lions only trailled 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 Brisbane’s revival.
Richmond did not kick a goal in the third term as Brisbane steadily worked themselves into 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.
Brisbane had won four of their last five games, but the Tigers overwhelmed them in the first half.
The Lions were also without captain Jonathan Brown, whose outstanding AFL 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 Brisbane 22 minutes until they kicked their first goal through Daniel Rich.
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 smash in the second term was the most critical – the score.
Brisbane 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.