The Brisbane Lions have slipped out of the top four following a shock loss to the Richmond Tigers last night that saw the Lions give up a big lead to lose 104-97.

Brisbane had won their past two games heading into this game after a shaky few weeks and was an outside chance at finishing first in a battle for the top four.

Chris Fagan’s side currently sits in tied fourth place with the Sydney Swans on 52 points but finds themselves in the fifth seed on the ladder.

Fremantle, Carlton and St Kilda are all within two wins of the top four though, which means the Lions have a real fight on their hands to get back into the top four and be safe from elimination in the first week of the finals.

After the game coach, Fagan tried to focus on the positives.

“It‘s our best performance at the MCG for a long period of time I would’ve thought,” Fagan said.

“It doesn’t matter to me, but I thought anyone watching the game would’ve thought it was a fantastic game of football.

“We were in it all the way to the end.

“Richmond had a really strong team tonight outside of Dustin.

“They had a lot to play for, as did we; we were trying to cement ourselves in the top four, now we’re in a battle, they’re trying to get back in the eight … there was no lack of effort on our side or theirs, it was a good contest in that regard.”

On Sunday, the Lions will host Carlton in a huge clash that would all but rule the loser out of making the top four.

Brisbane will then have another game with possible top-four implications as they host St Kilda in round 22 before ending the regular season against defending premiers, the Melbourne Demons, who are looking for a first-place finish.

The Lions are still one of the favourites to win the flag in 2022, but Geelong and Melbourne are being favoured far more than anyone else; however, their star Lachie Neale is being backed more than anyone to win this year’s, Brownlow Medal.