RICHMOND has beaten the odds to knock off the previously undefeated Brisbane Lions, in a statement win by four points at the Swinburne Centre.

Brisbane – who came into the game with a percentage of 322 – has comprehensively blown sides out of the water this season, but the Tigers showed nerves of steel in the 2.6 (18) to 1.8 (14) triumph.

The game was heavily affected by a swirling breeze to the Punt Road end, but both Brisbane and Richmond failed to capitalise on their respective advantages in the first and second quarters.

The tall forwards had their moments in the sun in the first half, with Tiger Courtney Wakefield saluting against the wind and Lion Taylor Smith capitalising at the other end, but it was small teammate Greta Bodey who looked most threatening.

Wakefield kicked her second against the wind halfway through the third term, giving the Tigers the lead after the Lions had taken a one-point advantage into the main break.

Richmond hung on in the last quarter as Brisbane kept coming again and again, regardless of the fact it was kicking against the wind, with inaccuracy ultimately costing the Lions.

Defender Maddie Shevlin played her best game in Tigers colours with 24 disposals and 658m gained, while Belle Dawes was Brisbane's best, the tenacious midfielder recording 23 disposals and seven clearances.

Five minutes of chaos
Brisbane peppered the goals in the final five minutes but some desperate Richmond defence kept them alive – Emily Bates had a snap with five minutes remaining, but her shot drifted right, Dakota Davidson took a strong mark near the goalsquare in the dying minutes, and attempted to play on, but her shot was smothered by Gabby Seymour. Sophie Conway also had a shot knocked through by Libby Graham.

Up next
Richmond will be hoping for four on the trot, against bogey side Gold Coast at the Swinburne Centre. Brisbane will be looking to get back on the winners list against Essendon at Moreton Bay.

RICHMOND      1.0     1.3     2.4     2.6   (18)
BRISBANE        1.3     1.4     1.5     1.8   (14)

GOALS
Richmond: Wakefield 2
Brisbane: Smith

BEST
Richmond: Conti, Shevlin, Sheerin, McKenzie, Seymour, Wakefield
Brisbane: Dawes, Bates, Svarc, Conway, Koenen

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Brisbane: Nil