Brisbane's promising start to 2018 was not reflected in Round 4 after it kicked just two goals in a 93-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
Dustin Martin kicked a career-best six goals to help the Tigers prevail 16.14 (110) to 2.5 (17).
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.
Brisbane came into the game having been super-competitive in three narrow losses to open the season against St Kilda, Melbourne and Port Adelaide, but this was the reality check to remind coach Chris Fagan and his men of the mountain of work ahead of them to climb up the ladder.
Despite the pre-game focus on winning contested footy, they were beaten in that area in the first half of the game, down by 20.
Torrential rain fell on the MCG in the hours before the game but cleared up before the opening bounce. By the time the game started, the ground was bathed in sunshine.
"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."
Lions' youngsters Alex Witherden, Jarrod Berry and Cameron Rayner kept presenting, while Luke Hodge tried to give some drive and direction from defence.
"We have been really, really competitive for the last three weeks but for some reason the bubble burst today," Fagan said.
"I thought we got a lesson from Richmond with contested ball and intensity."
MEDICAL ROOM
Both teams seemed to come out of the game without any injury concerns.
NEXT UP
The Tigers ‘visit’ Melbourne on Anzac Day eve at the MCG in what is the AFL’s new blockbuster. With the Commonwealth Games over, the public buses are running in Brisbane once more so people can get to the Gabba to see the Lions host a QClash against Gold Coast in a twilight game next Sunday.
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
