“I see it, but I don’t believe it!”

The words of Anthony Hudson would have been ringing in the ears of the Tiger faithful, as Jacob Bauer kicked himself into Richmond folklore.

The dynamic swingman kicked yet another match-winning goal after the siren, from an eerily similar position and play to the one he slotted at Giants Stadium a month prior.

Bauer’s heroics capped off a best-on-ground performance as Steve Morris and his lieutenants flicked his magnet forward, with three final-term goals sealing a memorable win.

Richmond stared down the might of the Lions from siren-to-siren, steamrolling home to secure a meritorious single point win, the final score reading 8.11 (59) to 7.16 (58).

The morning after the night before, Richmond VFL made its way south-west of Brisbane to Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield.

Much like at the GABBA the night previous, a formidable foe awaited in the Lions.

The hosts with a 10–1–1 record for the year, on paper, looked a daunting task.

Brisbane trapped the ball in its front-half for the opening five minutes and was the first to strike a major blow on the scoreboard.

The Tigers then clicked into gear.

Yellow and Black jumpers spread far and wide, surging the ball forward from the back half.

Kaelan Bradtke found himself on the end of some swift ball movement and showcased his skill with a long-range goal after being hemmed in on the boundary.

Both sides then had their chances inside 50 but struggled to capitalize.

The Lions stretched their lead to 11 points with a goal after the quarter-time siren.

Jacob Bauer thrived in the winter sunshine, showcasing the best version of himself down back.

Bauer spoiled with defiance and was tight and snug on his opponent.

Richmond exploded from the restart, with goals to Ivan Soldo and Mykelti Lefau in the opening five minutes of the second term, handing the Tigers a narrow lead.

The pressure exerted from Maurice Rioli and Matthew Coulthard was infectious, as Richmond swarmed the Lions.

James Trezis proved a thorn in Brisbane’s side and at times looked impassable behind the ball.

Much like the first quarter, both sides struggled putting the finishing touches on their good work, as a litany of turnovers marred the flow of the game.

The Lions kicked a goal clear in the shadows of half time, with both sides kicking three goals apiece in blustery conditions.

Brisbane burst out of the blocks with the opening two goals of the third term.

The Tigers then kicked a string of behinds before Steely Green pounced on a loose ball at the top of the goal square, his right-foot check side swinging through on the breeze.

The Lions clung to a slender lead at the final change, which they extended early in the final term, stretching their lead to 16 points.

Tom Brown’s form since returning from a long lay off has steadily built as the weeks have gone on, and his performance against the Lions was another step in the right direction.

Brown is serene with ball in hand, rarely flustered, and uses his dynamic assets to full advantage in winning the ball back.

Bauer the swingman was deployed forward in the final term with instant effect, slotting Richmond’s fifth goal, which drew his side within ten points late in the quarter.

The move of Bauer forward was a masterstroke, as he provided an aerial presence that surpassed all forward of centre and unerring precision with a game-high three goals.

Bauer set-up a goal to Tyler Sonsie and then showed his icy resolve to win the game off his own boot after the siren, for the second time this year.

BRIS   2.6       3.11     5.12     7.16 (58)
RICH   1.1       3.5       4.10     8.11 (59)

Goal Kickers:

Richmond: Bauer (3), Sonsie, Soldo, Lefau, Green, Bradtke

Best Players: Bauer, Brown, Sonsie, Trezise, Street, Rioli