The Richmond Tigers have kept their season alive by edging out the Gold Coast Suns in a fascinating match at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, running out 17-point winners.
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The win was engineered by a masterclass performance from young star Dustin Martin, whose four-quarter effort included 36 disposals and 2 goals.
Each side went into the clash with remarkably different gameplans – Richmond preferring to take the patient, possession-based approach while Gold Coast relented to get the ball as far forward as possible at every opportunity.
This resulted in many momentum swings, with both sides showing great resilience despite a number of sub-par skill errors on display.
At halftime the Tigers led by 16 points, but the Suns would not be dealt with so easily. The travelling Queenslanders came out all guns blazing after the main break, kicking six of the quarter’s seven goals to rocket to a comfortable lead at three-quarter time.
It was a great term from the Suns, apart from a shocking incident in which young backman Kade Kolodjashnij was stretchered off with a serious head injury after a stray knee knocked him in a marking contest.
Later reports suggest he is okay, which is great news, but no doubt the Suns will take the utmost care with his health.
The last quarter began with the Suns holding on to a ten-point lead – but on home soil you knew that the Tigers were not done with.
As the teams ran neck-and-neck throughout the fourth, it was Dustin Martin who was the difference, involved in two important goals to drag the Tigers into the lead before Jack Riewoldt sealed the win with a marvellous closing goal from the boundary line.
Although they were overrun in the last ten minutes, the Gold Coast showed solid signs of improvement, especially in defence, and will look for to build on the positives from today in the second half of the season.
Gary Ablett was his brilliant industrious self with 24 tocuhes and 12 tackles while Steven May was fantastic down back keeping Jack Riewoldt quiet. Tom Lynch continued his marvellous run up forward with another four-goal haul, taking his season tally to 35.
Along with Martin, Trent Cotchin was fantastic when it counted for the Tigers and finished with 28 touches of his own. Alex Rance was also fantastic as a strong, calm presence in the Tigers defensive unit. Brett Deledio and Shane Edwards kicked 3 goals apiece in the win, while Shaun Grigg was another who battled hard all day.
Both teams now have a bye, but what follows is starkly different for each.
The Suns are officially cooked, but it’s not all doom and gloom. They showed some good signs today, and the rest of the season is about development.
There’s plenty to work with at the fledgling club, and although there’s a lot to be done before they’re a threat, this is a team to keep your eye on.
Richmond know they can still play finals – they’ve done it before – and will do everything they can to get there again.
It’s now a win-or-die scenario most weeks for the yellow and black, and if the Tigers leaders keep standing up, who knows what’s possible?
Final score
Richmond 17.12.114
Gold Coast 15.7.97
The Roar’s AFL MVP Votes
3 – Dustin Martin
2 – Gary Ablett
1 – Trent Cotchin
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