Australian Football

Match Report

It's official: Richmond will contest its first finals series in 12 years in 2013. Despite a somewhat disappointing second half, the Tigers did enough to defeat the Brisbane Lions, giving them their 13th win of the season, which puts them four games clear of ninth-placed Carlton with only three home-and-away matches remaining.

In a classic "game of two halves", Richmond looked every bit a finals team in the first half, kicked 11 goals to Brisbane's four to set up a commanding 45-point lead at half time. But Brisbane responded strongly in the third quarter, keeping the Tigers without a goal for the entire term while scoring three of its own, to narrow the gap to just 26 points at the final change.

Richmond eventually held on for a 23-point win, but not without a scare or two in the last quarter. When Lion Pearce Hanley goaled at the 20-minute mark, the margin was just 16 points with plenty of time to play. With memories of Tiger fade-outs and Brisbane comebacks from earlier in 2013, Richmond fans were then shifting uncomfortably in their seats. But spearhead Jack Riewoldt sealed the deal with a mark and goal at the 26-minute mark, ensuring the Tiger army would have their first taste of finals action since 2001.

The win was set up by fine performances from Trent Cotchin (30 disposals), Reece Conca (three goals and 21 touches) and Bachar Houli (25 possessions). Brisbane was well served by Tom Rockliff (34 possessions), Pearce Hanley (two goals and 24 touches) and Josh Green (two goals, 14 touches).

With a place in September now assured, Richmond will push for as high a position as possible in the last three matches, against Carlton, GWS and Essendon. A top four finish is still an outside possibility, but in reality the Tigers will be looking to shore up fifth or sixth position in order to secure a home final in the first week.

In 13th place with eight wins, the Lions are still a mathematical chance of making the finals, but would require an extraordinary combination of results to go their way, not least of which would be three consecutive wins against GWS, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong at Kardinia Park in round 23.

GOALS
Richmond: McGuane, Conca 3; Vlastuin, Morris, Jackson, Grigg, Foley, Ellis, Riewoldt, White
Brisbane: Mayes 3; Staker, Green, Hanley 2; Rich, Merrett

BEST - THE AGE
Richmond: Cotchin, Jackson, Morris, Conca, Foley, Houli
Brisbane: Rockliff, Hanley, Redden, Green, Leuenberger, Rich

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Richmond: Cotchin, Conca, Houli, Ellis, Maric, Foley
Brisbane: Rockiff, Hanley, Green, Mayes, Redden, Rich

COACHES' COMMENTS
Damien Hardwick (Rich): You've got to give credit to Brisbane really [for the second half performance], they're in red hot form really. We were pretty happy with our first half. In the second half we probably just made a few mistakes and let them back in. We just had to work our way inside 50 a little better.

Michael Voss (Bris): They won it; they owned it; we didn't. Despite all that, with five or six minutes to go, we were in with a shot. The guys' fight after half time was pretty good. We finished it out well but again we're not making the most of our starts, which is forcing us a long way back.

INJURIES
Richmond: Chris Newman (ankle)
Brisbane: Justin Clarke (shoulder), Brent Moloney (hamstring tightness)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Robin Nahas replaced by Shane Tuck in the third quarter.
Brisbane: Brent Moloney replaced by Sam Docherty at half time.

UMPIRES: Donlon, Farmer, Harris

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Hamish McLachlan, Basil Zempilas, Tom Harley, Tim Watson