<p>The Brisbane Lions return to the MCG for the first time since Grand Final day last year where they danced on thin ice all the way to the premiership cup.&nbsp;</p> <p>It looms as a nice, soft welcome back to the hallowed turf as they meet a Richmond side who have had its bubble burst since their astonishing Round 1 victory over Carlton. A pair of chastening defeats by an average of 77 points is more of what we expected from Richmond this year. Although, this is their first time back at the G since they unexpectedly won in Round 1.</p> <p>The Lions remain undefeated in 2025 to start the premiership defence, but have yet to put any semblance of what their best football looks like together.&nbsp;</p> <p>How hard they go against a young Richmond team remains to be seen. They should be good enough to do the work early and then gear down and come away with the win. We know stranger things can and have happened, but it appears unlikely that any competent team will let a game like this slip.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds and betting tips, check out our Tigers vs Lions prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond Tigers vs Brisbane Lions Predicted Teams</h2> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Richmond</h3> <p>B: Ben Miller, Jacob Blight, Nathan Broad</p> <p>HB: Nick Vlastuin, Luke Trainor, Jayden Short</p> <p>C: James Trezise, Kamdyn McIntosh, Thomson Dow</p> <p>HF: Steely Green, Seth Campbell, Sam Lalor</p> <p>F: Jacob Bauer, Tom Lynch, Tyler Sonsie</p> <p>Foll: Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper</p> <p>Int: Tom Brown, Jack Ross, Kaleb Smith, Harry Armstrong, Kane McAuliffe</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane</h3> <p>B: Dayne Zorko, Jack Payne, Ryan Lester</p> <p>HB: Noah Answerth, Harris Andrews, Darcy Wilmot</p> <p>C: Callum ah Chee, Zac Bailey, Jarrod Berry</p> <p>HF: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Hugh McCluggage</p> <p>F: Cam Rayner, Sam Day, Logan Morris</p> <p>Foll: Oscar McInerney, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale</p> <p>Int: Jaspa Fletcher, Will Ashcroft, Levi Ashcroft, Bruce Reville, Will McLachlan</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Brisbane Lions Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Last year’s premiers vs last year’s wooden spooners.</p> <p>The Lions have won its past two clashes with the Tigers by an average of 100 points. Needless to say, this one could get very, very ugly given that the Tigers have gotten significantly worse than the last time they have played.</p> <p>It really is a question of how hard the Lions want to go.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers are ranked fifth in the competition for rebound 50s, which is no surprise considering the volume of ball entering their attacking 50, which does give them the best chance to get the ball forward from their best and more experienced ball users in Nick Vlastuin, Nathan Broad and Jayden Short.&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite the under the radar start to the season, the Lions rank first for Clearances per game thus far this year and are coming up against Taranto and Hopper - two strong contested ball winners who Richmond are lucky to have this year. Otherwise, who knows where they will be this year.</p> <p>If the Tigers could cover the line, it would be a massive win. Not only for them but for the punters.</p> <p>The Lions will win, by a large amount.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-brisbane-lions-9063249">Brisbane Lions</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>There is a very real chance here that the Lions could have double-digits in the goalkickers list this week.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers might find it hard to get through the brick wall that is Harris Andrews who will take care of Tom Lynch and take him out of the contest.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hipwood and Morris for the Lions up against Ben Miller and Jacob Blight. It could be a big day for Eric Hipwood and a chance for him to really sink his teeth into the season. I’m backing him for a bag, kicked off by the first goal of the day.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-brisbane-lions-9063249">Eric Hipwood</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Dayne Zorko is 36-year-old and looks like he's 25 years old. He is running on top of the ground off the half-back flank and racking up possessions at will.&nbsp;</p> <p>He leads the Lions for most disposals so far this season and leads the league for most kicks, at an astonishing 75% disposal efficiency.&nbsp;</p> <p>While the ball might not spend too much time in the Lions defensive half, I still expect Zorko to find plenty of the ball and glide across the MCG at will.</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-brisbane-lions-9063249">Dayne Zorko (35+ disposals)</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Brisbane Lions Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Saturday April 5, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>4:15pm, AEDT</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>MCG, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>&nbsp;Fox Footy/ Kayo</p>