RICHMOND kept its finals hopes alive with a come-from-behind win over the Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome, sneaking home by just three points in a pulsating clash.

Joel Bowden, widely criticised for his efforts at the defensive end against Essendon last week, kicked three goals in the final quarter, including the match-winner deep into time-on.

Richmond won 18.9 (117) to the Lions 16.18 (114) after an eight-goal last quarter in which the Tigers desperately needed to snare the first goal after trailing by a tick over four goals at three-quarter time. And they got it through Matthew Richardson, who scored his first after taking his 14th mark for the night and kicking truly from 45m.

Richardson was also involved in Richmond's second goal, which followed within two minutes. His handball to Nathan Brown saw the talented forward manage his fourth for the night, and trim the Lions' lead to 14 points.

A string of errors from both sides ended with Bowden having a kick on goal, and now the margin was just eight points, with more than 20 minutes left to play. The irrepressible Richardson was in the game again, and he goaled – two points in it.

A brilliant handball from Brett Deledio to Matt White led to another goal, and against all the odds, the Tigers had grabbed an unlikely lead.

After another behind for Richmond, Luke Power made a hash of the kick out and delivered the ball straight to Bowden, who promptly kicked his third for the game. The Tigers were 11 points in front, and the Lions simply unable to win possession.

Against the run of play, Jamie Charman goaled – his team's first score of the final quarter at the 20-minute mark – to bring the margin back to a goal. Richmond had gone into its shell, but there was plenty of time left, and when Daniel Bradshaw marked and kicked truly, the Lions had regained the lead.

Another major followed to Justin Sherman, giving the visitors an eight-point break, but Richardson replied and it was anyone's guess who would win.

Almost 30 minutes in, Jonathan Brown had a shot from 60m, but it was touched on the line. The Lions led by three points. But then Bowden came again.

Richmond held a two-point lead at the main break, but the Lions, who had 15 scoring shots to 12 at half time, kicked the first three goals of the third term.

A 21-point margin looked ominous for the Tigers, who were being beaten to the ball all over the field, but Jay Schultz pulled one back at the 17-minute mark.

It was, however, a temporary reprieve, and the Lions banged on three more to pull away and lead by 31 points. The Tigers' Brown kicked beautifully from beyond 50m in the last minute of the third quarter, but it looked to be too little, too late, and the Lions ended the term 25 points to the good.

The Lions kicked away to a 22-point lead early in the second term, having led by 10 points at the first break. Richmond needed to fight back, and it was Brown who broke the visitors' run of four consecutive goals with a critical shot from about 45m.

The Tigers were beginning to win the clearances, and Brown was involved again when he passed to Jack Riewoldt, who kicked truly. Mitch Morton then won a free kick for a high tackle and narrowed the gap to four points.

The Lions were under the pump, but replied through a magnificent goal from co-captain Jonathan Brown.

Richmond swept the ball from a kick-in to Bowden, who goaled, and when Troy Simmonds marked and split the centre, the Tigers had regained the lead. Riewoldt's second shortly afterwards stretched the margin to eight points.

Nearing the main break, the Lions managed a much-needed goal through the mercurial Jared Brennan, making it four goals to the Tigers' six for the term.

Half way through the first term the game opened up. Richardson, returning from injury, was outstanding with six marks and eight possessions, but the Tigers did little to cash in on his dominance.

Instead, it was the Lions who grabbed a break late in the quarter through goals to Travis Johnstone and Brown. The visitors' margin at quarter time should have been greater – a threatening Bradshaw had four shots on goal for a single major, while Corrie failed to score with a kick after the siren following a disastrous kick-out from Jordan McMahon with just a few seconds on the clock.

RICHMOND 2.2 8.4 10.7   18.9 (117)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.6 7.8 13.14 16.18 (114)

Goals: Richmond: N Brown 4 J Bowden 4 M Richardson 3 J Riewoldt 2 B Deledio T Simmonds J Schulz M White M Morton. Brisbane Lions: J Brown 3 D Bradshaw 3 J Sherman 2 T Johnstone 2 J Brennan A Corrie J Charman S Black R Copeland J Drummond.

Best: Richmond: M Richardson J Bowden B Deledio K Johnson S Tuck N Brown. Brisbane Lions: J Drummond J Brown J Patfull T Johnstone S Black B Dalziell.