GUIDE TO THE AFL QUALIFYING FINAL BETWEEN BRISBANE AND RICHMOND

When: Friday, 7.50pm AEST

Where: The Gabba, Brisbane

THE FORM

* Brisbane (second, 14 wins, three losses). Seven straight wins since being dealt a 41-point hiding by Richmond at Metricon Stadium in round 10.

* Richmond (third, 12 wins, four losses, one draw). Won their last six games by an average margin of 26 points, including commanding victories over flag rivals Geelong and West Coast.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

* Overall: Brisbane 8 wins, Richmond 23 wins, 1 draw

* In Finals: Brisbane 1 win, Richmond 1 win

* Last time: Round 10, 2020: Richmond 12.10 (82) bt Brisbane 4.17 (41) at Metricon Stadium

THE COACHES

* Brisbane’s Chris Fagan is yet to coach a finals victory. Now in his fourth season at the helm, he has two finals losses to his name.

* Richmond’s Damien Hardwick didn’t win a final until his eighth year in charge. He has now won seven of his last eight, including two grand finals (2017 and 2019).

KEY MATCH-UPS

Harris Andrews (Brisbane) v Jack Riewoldt (Richmond).

The All-Australian fullback returns from a hamstring injury to take on Riewoldt, who has tormented the Lions in recent years. The Richmond spearhead has averaged 3.5 goals a game against Brisbane over the last six seasons, including hauls of four, three and four in their last three meetings. Riewoldt will be the attacking focal point for the Tigers without Tom Lynch (hamstring) by his side.

Lachie Neale (Brisbane) v Dustin Martin (Richmond).

The prolific ball-winner against the competition’s most devastating game-breaker. These two could start next to each other at the opening bounce, but don’t expect them to spend too much time worrying about what each other are doing. Richmond won’t put a hard tag on Neale and Martin will float between midfield and attack as he pleases.

THE STATS

* Richmond have won their last 15 encounters with Brisbane in a streak that began a decade ago. Veteran half-back Daniel Rich is the only player left on the Lions’ playing list from the team that toppled Richmond in 2009, while Tigers duo Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards were also involved at the MCG that day.

THE TIP

* Richmond by 5 points