Richmond hasn’t lost to Brisbane since round 13, 2004. They slumped to fifteenth place on the AFL ladder after suffering their sixth defeat of the season – a 19-point loss to Sydney at the SCG last Sunday.

Brisbane bounced back from the humiliating loss to Geelong with a 43-point demolition of Essendon at the Gabba last Saturday night. The Lions sit just outside the eight with a 3-3 win-loss record.

MEDICAL ROOM: The Tigers welcome back veteran midfielder Ben Cousins and classy forward Nathan Brown from hamstring and groin injuries respectively but will be without star Matthew Richardson for at least 10 weeks with a ruptured hamstring tendon. Former skipper Kane Johnson (knee) is sidelined for another month. For the Lions, Jamie Charman (ankle – 4 weeks), Matthew Leuenberger (knee – 10 weeks) and midfielder Bradd Dalziell (knee – 6 weeks) are unavailable.

KEY MATCH-UPS: Daniel Jackson vs. Simon Black

The last time these two sides met in round 17 last year Black was among his side’s best with 20 disposals and four inside 50’s.

The 2002 Brownlow medallist is damaging with his ability to win the football at close quarters, find teammates in space by hand and also deliver the football cleanly inside 50 to the likes of Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.

If the Tigers are going to be any hope of containing the Lions’ two star forwards they will need to curtail the influence of Black in the middle.

Jackson played arguably his best game of the season last weekend, racking up a game-high 29 possessions and restricting dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes to just 17 disposals.

Expect Jackson to be given the task of tagging of Black in what shapes as being a crucial match-up.

Jackson will need to pay close attention to Black at the stoppages where he is at his most damaging and also try and hurt him going the other way.

Joel Patfull vs. Mitch Morton

In the round 17 clash Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson booted four and three goals respectively.

Brown can’t be expected to have such an impact this time around considering he will be a little underdone.

The Tigers will need the likes of Morton to step up if they are going to be any hope of kicking a winning score.

Morton has struggled after a promising start to the season, managing just five goals in five games after booting four majors in the first game of the season against the Blues.

Patfull has shown his ability to contain some of the competition’s best mid-sized forwards this season – he kept Geelong star Steve Johnson to just 14 possessions and one goal in round five – and looms as the obvious candidate to match up on Morton.

Morton is very much a confidence player so it is vital that the Tigers try and look for him early otherwise he will struggle to have a meaningful impact.

Luke McGuane vs. Jonathan Brown

Brown was instrumental in the win over the Bombers with 24 possessions, 13 marks and five goals.

The last time these two sides met Brown was among his side’s best but failed to make the most of his opportunities in front of goal, booting a wasteful 3.4.

If the Tigers are going to maintain their recent dominance over Brisbane they will need to contain Brown who has hit top form after a solid but unspectacular start to the season.

McGuane kept Swans spearhead Barry Hall to just two goals last weekend and will most likely be given first crack at Brown.

The Tigers are ranked 13th in the AFL for tackles per game with an average of 53.7.

They will need to lift their intensity and apply greater pressure otherwise the likes of Travis Johnstone and Black will be able to deliver the football cleanly inside 50 to Brown who could well have another big game.

Troy Selwood vs. Brett Deledio

Deledio helped himself to 26 possessions, one goal and three inside 50’s the last time these two sides met.

Last year’s best-and-fairest winner is slowly returning to his best after a sluggish start to the season, racking up 25 and 21 disposals in his side’s last two matches against the Kangaroos and the Swans.

The Tigers will need Deledio to impose himself on the game on Saturday if they are going to secure a much-needed four premiership points.

If the Lions are going to starve the likes of Jack Riewoldt and Morton of quality supply they will need to shut-down Deledio’s run and carry and prevent him from pumping the football inside 50.

Selwood usually gets the job of tagging the opposition’s best midfielder and will most likely be given the task of running with Deledio.

Brisbane will need Selwood to apply immense pressure all day and not give the 22-year-old any time or space in which to work in.

VERDICT: Richmond will head into this match with some confidence given their recent record against Brisbane but with their equal leading goal kicker for the season in Richardson on the sidelines and Morton out of form they will struggle to kick a big enough score to overcome a Lions side that has two in-form forwards in Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.

Lions by 33 points.

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