Richmond wanted to play for Jack Riewoldt on Friday night in the champion forward's 300th game. But with his side staring down a fifth straight defeat – a result that would have gone a long way to ending the Tigers' finals hopes – it was Riewoldt who lifted again for the Tigers. 

Riewoldt's six-goal celebration helped Richmond break its four-game losing streak with a significant 20-point win over Brisbane at Metricon Stadium after the Tigers overcame a string of curveballs to claim the crucial victory.

The match, which was sent from the MCG to the Gold Coast on Thursday due to Victoria's worsening COVID-19 outbreak, was also pushed back 15 minutes as both teams encountered heavy traffic on their trip down from Brisbane on Friday afternoon.

Richmond also trailed by a goal at half-time after a second quarter from the Lions that suggested the Tigers had fired their best shot early. 

But the weight of challenges didn't work against the Tigers, with Riewoldt spearheading them to an important 16.10 (106) to 13.8 (86) triumph with the 32-year-old's best game of 2021.

But the win didn't come without troubles for the Tigers, who finished the game without superstar Dustin Martin, who left the field in the third term with a hip/rib injury, and wingman Kamdyn McIntosh (hamstring). 

Their flag hopes written off this week, the reigning back-to-back premiers threw another punch to jump back into the top eight. As well as Riewoldt, returning ruckman Toby Nankervis was massive with 22 disposals and 25 hitouts while Kane Lambert also came back from injury with 23 disposals.

The signs the Tigers of old were back came early. The first term saw Richmond's pressure return, with the Tigers laying 22 first-term tackles and six inside their forward 50. 

It helped them to a seven-point lead at the first change, with Tom Lynch, Martin and Riewoldt all on the board by the opening change. Lambert's run and poise was also important with 13 disposals in a busy start.

Joe Daniher's two goals in the second term steered the Lions to a five-goal-to-three quarter that saw them take a six-point lead into half-time. 

Brisbane's centre-square dominance made for quick, easy entries in what was a return to the higher scores seen in the first half of the season. With Martin quiet, Brisbane's strength at stoppages flipped the contest to its advantage. 

When Zac Bailey streamed in to goal early in the third quarter it looked like Brisbane was about to break Richmond's resistance, but with their season on the line the Tigers struck with back-to-back goals to cut their deficit back to three points.  

But there was more to come, with Riewoldt booting three goals for the quarter to help his side to an important 11-point break at the final change. Brisbane made the Tigers nervous late in the final term before Riewoldt slotted his final major in the dying seconds, becoming the third player to boot six goals in his 300th match. 

RICHMOND 4.2 7.4 12.6 16.10 (106)
BRISBANE 3.1 8.4 10.7 13.8 (86)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Chol 4, Graham 2, Lynch 2, Bolton, Martin
Brisbane: Daniher 3, Bailey 2, Cameron 2, McCarthy 2, McStay 2, McCluggage, Robertson

BEST
Richmond: Riewoldt, Nankervis, Chol, Short, Bolton, Cotchin, Baker
Brisbane: McCluggage, Lyons, Bailey, Neale, Robinson

INJURIES
Richmond: Astbury (ankle), Martin (rib/hip), McIntosh (hamstring)
Brisbane: McCarthy (chest)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Ross (replaced McIntosh in the second quarter)
Brisbane: T.Berry (unused)