Round 9 is not a good place for Richmond to be. Since 2001 the sides precentage of matches won since Round 8 is deplorable and it always seems to start a slide down the ladder in Round 9. Richmond's poor form post Round 8 was a talking point during the week. There were also other factors against the Tigers. This game was at the Gabba in QLD, Richmond's recent record on the road is dreadful. The Lions had not been beaten by Richmond at the Gabba since 2000 and had not suffered a defeat anywhere to the Tigers since early in the 2001 season. They had lost their last 3 at the Gabba, once a fortress for them, and were in danger of losing touch with the top 8 sides. They would be fired up for this encounter.

Greg Stafford had been selected in the side, but the ankle did not stand closer inspection so he was replaced by Jay Schulz, this was a bit of a gamble largely based on the fact that Schulz kicked 6 goals against the Lions the last time he played at the Gabba. The hot tip to mind Brisbane's powerhouse forward Jonathan Brown was Ray Hall, but he had been suspended for 2 weeks because of his 'hit' on Cameron Cloke the previous week, so former Hawthorn veteran and spare parts defender Mark Graham was the surprise selection to play on Jonathan Brown. Chris Hyde came back for his first game since the Anzac Eve match against St Kilda, following the head clash with Matt MacGwire, that left Hyde with a fractured skull. Hyde was now sporting a light weight helmet. Brisbane were only missing Luke Power from the usual starting 22, although they had left Clark Keating and Martin Pike out.

Richmond kicked the first goal of the match and were using the ball better and moving it forward quickly. The Tigers flexible forward line of Richardson, Simmonds and Brown were playing far better than their Lion opponents and it was really inaccuracy that didn't see them set up a handy lead. In the last 10 minutes of the quarter some of the Lions prime movers in Voss, Akermanis and McGrath got on top of their Tiger minders and actually set up a slight lead going into quarter time.

The second quarter was a struggle. The Lions managed to jump out to a 16 point lead before some magic from Nathan Brown and some genuine fight in the middle of the ground by the aggressive Richmond midfield of Shane Tuck, Mark Coughlan and Kane Johnson got the Tigers back into the game and at half time the margin was a slender two point margin to the home team.

That midfield began to deliver the ball decisively into the forward line for Richmond and the most dangerous man on the ground was Nathan Brown. He missed 3 gettable shots at goal and Brisbane who were more accurate began to threaten to take control of the match. The big man Matthew Richardson stepped up, wearing a somewhat comical bandage around his head to stem the flow of blood from an earlier head wound the man the Richmond faithful call Richo took two strong marks and goaled twice within a matter of minutes to throw concern into the Lions camp and keep the margin at two points only.

Richmond were the better team, but the scoreboard did not reflect it. There were two goals in the match and not much time left. What would happen? A magician called Nathan Brown, somehow this mercurial player got the ball twice around goals and snapped truly. With just over two minutes remaining his 4th goal put the Tigers back in front for the first time since early in the 1st quarter. The midfield, Shane Tuck especially, refused to fold and the defence held firm. The siren went and Richmond were home by 4 points. The Tigers had killed the Lions in their lair.

Player review:

2. Darren Gaspar, Richmond has built a wall across the backline. Gaspar is the most important brick in that wall. His mark late in the game when the Lions were threatening could have been match winning.

3. Brett Deledio, has an amazing amount of authority and confidence for such a young player. Played as if he deserved the Rising Star nomination he received last week.

5. Troy Simmonds, the dominant forward on the ground. Marked powerfully and rucked well. If he'd kicked accurately he could have ended the game with half a dozen goals.

6. Mark Chaffey, well beaten early by Nigel Lapping, but did recover to limit the Lions midfielder to a modest performance.

7. Nathan Brown, what more can you say about this man? For the second time in two weeks won the game off his own boot. I thought he was good last year, I didn't know he was just warming up.

9. Wayne Campbell, his poise and seeming serenity are surprising to see when the game is tight and everything is going crazy around him. Racking up 20 + possessions every week.

11. Joel Bowden, was well beated by McGrath early. Suffered a head clash with Chris Hyde, ironically. Went off with a fractured cheek bone, will miss at least one game

12. Matthew Richardson, dragged the Tigers back into it when the Lions threatened in the 3rd quarter. So glad he is a Tiger.

13. Trent Knobel, yet again gave an understated perormance in the ruck and around the ground. St Kilda will be regretting their decision to offload him.

15. Kayne Pettifer, kicked a goal early, making the most of the opportunity he has been given and his courage is surprising many who thought he lacked in that department.

17. Kane Johnson, although Tuck and Coughlan were more prominent Johnson is the man who gives them direction and leadership.

21. Shane Tuck, stunning, ferocious at the ball all night. Held the former Brownlow medallist and Lions captain Michael Voss whilst accumulating a game high 31 possessions and set the game up for Richmond. Best on ground.

22. Danny Meyer, didn't see a lot of him. His slight build may have counted against him in this game.

24. Mark Coughlan, ran Tuck close for best on ground effort. Smooth, assured and brilliant.

25. Jay Schulz, first game for the season following an ankle injury. Kicked a nice goal and provided a target in the forward line when Richardson was down the ground.

27. Andrew Krakouer, kicked one very nice goal and inexplicably missed a much easier shot later in the game. Never stopped trying for the entire game.

30. Richard Tambling, again his speed was a feature. Unfortunately the late goal he set up for Nathan Brown also saw him strain his hamstring, will miss at least one game.

31. Chris Hyde, the 'monster' is back. For a bloke who has recently suffered a fracture skull he was fearless and showed that the layoff hasn't hurt him at all. You have to admire his courage.

32. Greg Tivendale, injuries only will ensure he plays next week. Was dreadful on Jaosn Akermanis earlier with 2 goals to Brisbane coming directly from mistakes made by Tivendale. His concentration needs to lift.

34. Mark Graham, was told early last week that he would get Jonathan Brown. Beat the Lions big man hands down. Brown did not kick a goal and had no influence on the game.

35. Chris Newman, wasn't quite as prominent as in recent weeks, but I can bet his opponent did nothing. Another vital part of the Richmond defensive wall.

39. Andrew Kellaway, it was Andy's 150th and no one deserves a win more on their milestone game. Earned comments from the commentators for his courage and won a number of contests for his willingness to put his head over the ball.