Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan hopes returning troops can help ignite a finals charge after the two-time reigning premiers accounted for a plucky Richmond by 35 points in Hobart.
The Lions were ahead by just three at halftime before their stars turned on the jets with a seven-goals-to-three third quarter to set up the 17.13 (115) to 12.8 (80) win on Sunday.
It gives Brisbane back-to-back victories ahead of their bye and blockbusters against Sydney and Geelong in the fortnight afterwards.
Will Ashcroft, who finished with a game-high 38 possessions, came to life early in the third term with two successive goals including a freak six-pointer dribbled in from the boundary line.
It was the 22-year-old's best disposal tally of the season, to go with eight clearances.
