Richmond veteran Joel Bowden has proved to be the Tigers' hero yet again - this time in attack - after booting three goals in the final term, including the matchwinner with just 22 seconds remaining, to give his team a thrilling three point win over Brisbane at Telstra Dome.

The 18.9 (117) to 16.18 (114) victory - Richmond's fifth in the past six matches - gives the Tigers a great chance of reaching the finals for only the third time since 1982.

In fact the surprise losses suffered earlier in the day by Collingwood and St Kilda means the Tigers are now only half a game outside the top eight but they face a tough run ahead with matches against Geelong, Adelaide (in Adelaide) and Hawthorn in the next three weeks before finishing at the MCG against struggling pair Fremantle and Melbourne.

But there is no doubt the Tigers - who scored a similar heartstopping win over Essendon last week - have some growing momentum behind them.

A week after Bowden controversially ran down the clock and rushed two late behinds to secure the win over Essendon, the son of Richmond's 1969 premiership player Michael again proved the hero but this time at the other end.

Bowden was sensational in the final term as he booted three goals as the Tigers came from 25 points down at the last change to score their most courageous and important win for the season.

But it was his last goal - a coolly taken set shot from 45 metres - after marking a pinpoint pass from Richard Tambling that will ensure hero status at Punt Road for the popular 30-year-old for another week.

However it was by no means only Bowden who deserved to take a bow in front of the adoring Tiger masses after this win with veteran spearhead Matthew Richardson also booting three last quarter goals while the much-maligned Tambling played his best game for the club with 27 possessions.

But the Tigers looked gone at the last change after yet again failing to perform in the third quarter.

After leading by two points at half-time, the Tigers were outscored six goals to two in the third term as the Lions looked to have the game won at the last change.

It was the ninth time in the last 11 matches that Richmond has been outscored in the third term and during those quarters they have been outscored by a total of 62 goals to 33 in a worrying trend for coach Terry Wallace.

But this Richmond side - which finished on the bottom last season with just three wins - is made of stern stuff these days and five goals in the first 13 minutes of the final term swung the game their way as they hit the front with a goal to Matt White at the 13 minute mark.

However the Lions hit back and when Justin Sherman goaled on the run the Lions lead by eight points and again looked home at the 27 minute mark.

But late goals to the Tigers two most experienced players in Richardson and Bowden proved decisive as the Lions - themselves now only half a game ahead of Richmond on the ladder and no certainties to make the eight - suffered their fourth straight loss in Victoria despite an excellent performance from defender Josh Drummond, classy midfield efforts from Travis Johnstone and Simon Black and three goals each from Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.

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

GOALS: Richmond: Bowden 4, Brown 4, Richardson 3, Riewoldt 2, Deledio, Simmonds, Morton, Schulz, White
Brisbane: Brown 3, Bradshaw 3, Johnstone 2, Sherman 2, Brennan, Corrie, Black, Copeland, Drummond, Charman
BEST: Richmond: Tambling, Bowden, Tuck, Johnson, Richardson, Deledio, Foley, Brown
Brisbane: Drummond, Black, Johnstone, Brown, Dalziell, Patfull
INJURIES: Richmond: Nil
Brisbane: Nil
UMPIRES: Stevic, H Ryan, S Ryan
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 31,275 at Telstra Dome

Sportal Player of the Year votes:
3. Richard Tambling (Richmond)
2. Joel Bowden (Richmond)
1. Josh Drummond (Brisbane)