Richmond have surged from 42 points behind to secure a remarkable seven-point AFL victory over Brisbane and continue the Lions' miserable record at the MCG.
After conceding the first six goals to be down for most of Sunday's match, the Tigers grabbed the lead at the 16-minute mark of the final quarter.
Both sides traded blows in the dying stages, with veteran Mitch Robinson missing a gilt-edged opportunity to put the Lions back in front after earning a free-kick from 15m out.
A calamitous error from defender Darcy Gardiner allowed returning Tigers star Tom Lynch to nail his fourth goal and the matchwinner in the final minute.
The Tigers ended a three-game winless run to win 15.14 (104) to 14.13 (97) in Shane Edwards' 300th game.
Richmond have been on the wrong end of many close results this year but turned the tables in thrilling fashion this time.
Importantly, it gives the ninth-placed Tigers a huge shot at playing finals this year, with a favourable last three games of the season.
"I thought our boys were incredibly brave the way they came back against a rampaging Brisbane, it showed their character," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.
"It probably showed how much they love Shane Edwards.
"I thought the significance of this event might have overwhelmed us at the start but I thought they got back on task and delivered the result we were all hoping for."
For the Lions, it was a major blow to their top-four aspirations and any confidence they would have gained out of a first win at the MCG since 2014.
Chris Fagan's team had lost 10-straight matches at the home of the grand final heading into this game but appeared to be on track to end the hoodoo after producing a hot start.
They led by 42 points midway through the second term and still held a six-goal buffer at halftime.
But Richmond produced scintillating football reminiscent of their premiership era, largely thanks to Shai Bolton, Lynch and emerging youngster Noah Cumberland.
After playing-on last week as the siren went to consign Richmond to a draw with Fremantle, Cumberland stepped up with a career-best five-goal haul in a breakout performance.
He kept Richmond in the contest early, kicking their first three goals as the Lions piled on majors at the other end.
Richmond co-captain Dylan Grimes was left devastated after hurting his hamstring in the third quarter
Lions dynamo Zac Bailey was sent for scans on a chest injury after being subbed out in the second quarter, bringing ruckman Darcy Fort into the game.
The Lions were rocked pre-game by in-form defender Brandon Starcevich withdrawing due to quad tightness, with former Geelong utility Nakia Cockatoo the replacement.
Fagan said his side were hurt by Bailey's absence, combined with an ankle injury to midfielder Jarrod Berry in the last quarter and severe cramping to running defender Keidean Coleman.
"We were a bit out on our feet in the second half," Fagan said.
"That's not to take anything away from Richmond, but they're three pretty important running players who weren't functioning for us in a tight finish."
Richmond travel to face Port Adelaide next Saturday night, while the Lions are back at the Gabba to take on Carlton on Sunday.
Australian Associated Press
