Richmond conceded just two goals in a commanding performance at the MCG, defeating Brisbane by 93 points on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers were led superbly by Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin who kicked a career-best six goals in the 16.14 (110) to 2.5 (17) rout.
Richmond's win was its biggest ever margin against Brisbane and the Lions' full-time score was its lowest in club history.
The Lions' half-time score of 0.4 (4) was the lowest total that Richmond has conceded at the MCG, equal with the 0.4 (4) that University scored in 1914.
The Tigers were ruthless and it wasn't until the 27-minute mark of the third term that the Lions kicked their first goal of the game when Dayne Zorko crumbed the pack and snapped truly.
But the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs on Saturday were illustrated a few minutes before when the Lions had the two-on-one edge 20m from goal, but desperate Tigers defender Dylan Grimes effected a spoil and negated the contest, much to the delight of the yellow-and-black clad fans at the Punt Road end.
The attack on the ball resembled September at times and the Tigers wound the clock back to last year's finals, with their pressure game forcing the Lions into repeated disposal errors. Six of Richmond’s first seven goals came from Brisbane turnovers, but if the Lions' poor care of the footy was one issue, their lack of pressure was another and by three-quarter time, 12 of their players had laid one tackle or less for the afternoon.
The lack of intensity around the footy allowed the Tigers the luxury of playing Martin primarily out of the goalsquare. Jason Castagna kicked three for the Tigers as did Jacob Townsend, while Trent Cotchin (26), Reece Conca (26) and Kane Lambert (26) won plenty of the ball. But to be truthful, this match resembled a training drill for most of the afternoon.
"If you’d said to me before the game we would win by 93 points, you’d be really happy with it," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said. "I thought the guys showed really good intent early, set the standard and the way we wanted to play with their contested ball and pressure around the contest. "We walk away really happy with the four points, acknowledge Brisbane probably weren’t at their best today, but we have a really good challenge next week against a good footy club in Melbourne."
MEDICAL ROOM
Both teams seemed to come out of the game with any injury concerns.
NEXT UP
The Tigers ‘visit’ Melbourne on Anzac Day eve at the MCG in what is the AFL’s new blockbuster.
RICHMOND 5.5 8.10 11.12 16.14 (110)
BRISBANE 0.2 0.4 1.4 2.5 (17)
GOALS
Richmond: Martin 6, Castagna 3, Townsend 3, Lambert 2, Riewoldt, Caddy
Brisbane: Zorko, Rayner
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Lambert, Rance, D. Martin, Conca, Grigg, Riewoldt
Brisbane: Zorko, Rayner, Robinson, S. Martin, Witherden
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Brisbane: Nil
Reports: Jack Graham (Richmond) for rough conduct against Dayne Zorko in the third quarter
Umpires: Meredith, Harris, Wallace
Official crowd: 32,870 at the MCG
