Few sides have given the Brisbane Lions more headaches over the past eight seasons than Richmond.

In fact, the Lions have beaten the Tigers just once in their 10 meetings since 2004 – although both teams did fight out a draw in 2007.

Richmond have claimed victory in the other eight matches, including all five of their previous visits to the the Gabba.

What makes the stat more remarkable is that Richmond have never reached the AFL Finals during this period of dominance over the Lions.

The Lions have actually finished ahead of the Tigers on the ladder four times in the past eight seasons, but just can’t seem to find a way to get over their fellow ‘big cats’.

So the task will be even tougher considering Richmond are now roaring towards September for the first time in 12 years after dismantling ladder-leaders Hawthorn at the MCG last Saturday.

But Lions Senior Coach Michael Voss and his men are fresh from breaking a five-year hoodoo against St Kilda last weekend, and will head into the clash confident of causing an upset in front of a big crowd at the MCG.  

Tigers’ recent dominance in the battle of the ‘big cats’ (since 2005)

*Heading into the match