The Richmond Tigers have recorded a convincing victory over the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive.
Final score
Gold Coast Suns 10.5 65
Richmond Tigers 14.14 98
The Richmond Tigers will be looking to consolidate their spot in the top four when they travel north to do battle with the enigmatic Gold Coast Suns. Join The Roar for live scores, updates and highlights from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Tigers’ win over GWS last week has established them as a serious premiership contender, but with a tricky run ahead, a comfortable win over the Suns could prove vital in the coming weeks.
With Jack Riewoldt on the sidelines with an eye injury – only the second game the talismanic key forward has missed since 2009 – it will be up to the Tigers’ small forward trio of Daniel Rioli, Dan Butler and Jason Castagna to produce a winning score.
In years past, Riewoldt’s absence would have been a catastrophic blow for the Tigers, but the much-maligned club have more dimensions to their game than in the past, and with Dustin Martin wreaking havoc in midfield, Alex Rance on track for a fourth consecutive All-Australian gong, and the likes of Kane Lambert, David Astbury and Dylan Grimes all enjoying career-best seasons, there’s still plenty of firepower at Tigerland.
The Gold Coast Suns’ wretched run with injuries doesn’t look like changing anytime soon, with key defensive duo Steven May and Rory Thompson remaining on the sidelines.
May, the Suns’ co-captain, was initially named in the starting 22 on Thursday evening before withdrawing, but his absence gives young backman Max Spencer the opportunity to impress on debut.
With Gary Ablett back in the fold, the Suns look better on the paper than the side that faded badly in last week’s loss to the Western Bulldogs, and with Jack Martin and David Swallow also finding form in recent weeks, there is some talent to work with at Metricon Stadium.
But plenty still rests on superstar forward Tom Lynch, and without a big bag from the co-captain – a task made all the tougher by a dour yet effective Richmond defence – the Suns’ chances of victory look slim.
Prediction
With the competition for places in the eight growing tougher by the week, the Tigers can simply not afford to drop games like this.
The Suns have been their nemesis in the past, having lost half of their clashes with the expansion side.
But, the Tigers look like they have hit peak form, and with the Suns appearing to flag as the end of the season draws closer, it’s difficult to see past a Richmond victory, Riewoldt or no Riewoldt.
Richmond by 35 points
With plenty of stars in the Tigers’ line-up, unheralded forward Shane Edwards has regularly flown under the radar, but the 28-year old will be front and centre on Saturday night when he chalks up his 200th career game.
Will it be a night to remember for Edwards as the Tigers continue their march towards September? Or will Gary Ablett and Tom Lynch inspire the Suns to a season-changing upset?
Tune into The Roar’s live blog, and stay up to date with all the news and highlights, from 7:25pm (AEST), and don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Tim Miller
Editor
Well, that's it from me tonight. Richmond consolidate their top-four position with a 33-point win over an injury-plagued Gold Coast. A huge Sunday of footy coming up on The Roar, so be sure to keep coming back for all the action. G'night! Richmond 14.14 (98) defeated Gold Coast 10.5 (65) by 33 points at Metricon Stadium. GOALS Richmond: Castagna 3, Rioli 3, Nankervis 3, Caddy, Martin, Cotchin, Grigg, C Ellis. Gold Coast: Lynch 3, Wright, Martin, Lonergan, Fiorini, Rosa, Saad, Miller. BEST Richmond: Martin, Rioli, Cotchin, Castagna, Miles, B Ellis. Gold Coast: Hall, Martin, Fiorini, Lynch, Hanley. INJURIES Richmond: Nil Gold Coast: Ah Chee (shoulder), Ainsworth (knee), Sexton (concussion).
Tim Miller
Editor
Richmond: D. Martin, three votes. Was this the best game he's played this year? Not by a long shot, but Richmond's game style means there are usually not that many players that stand out in any given game. And in those kinds of games, which tonight definitely was, then the things Martin can do pushes him up the list significantly. He did finish with 34 possessions, 16 of which were contested, and an important goal in the third term, but it was more than just numbers with Dusty. Time and again it would be him breaking from the centre to thump it into the Tigers' forward 50, or taking a strong mark ahead of a Suns opponent from a hopeful kick down the line. His strength has always been his, well, strength, but now he has the stamina and the endurance to do it all day long. And with Dangerfield perhaps looking at a suspension for a dangerous tackle on Matthew Kreuzer, it's looking more and more likely that Dusty will be holding a Brownlow at season's end. And with the Tigers looking like definite contenders this year, it might not be the only medal he receives this September.
Tim Miller
Editor
Gold Coast: A. Hall, two votes. Gold Coast's chances of victory may have gone out the window with Gary Ablett's withdrawal, but in the absence of the little champ, it was Hall who stepped up to lead the Suns' midfield brigade. His best work is usually done on the outside, and again his precise kicking and speed helped the Suns break through the Tigers regularly, but with 11 contested possessions, he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty either. He lacked support in there, which is why the Suns' midfield still got belted, but with 40 possessions, he can hold his head high.
Tim Miller
Editor
Predictive Brownlow time! Richmond: D. Rioli, one vote. It was the Suns who stormed out of the blocks early with three of the first four goals, and as the Tigers struggled to convert their multiple chances inside 50, there was only one player standing up. By quarter time, Rioli had all three of their goals, and he continued to bob up all night to constantly trouble the Suns' defence. He wouldn't add to his goals tally (though he gave off a few he would have likely converted), but when the Tigers were struggling early on, it was he who was keeping them afloat. Probably the best game he's played so far in his young career.
Tim Miller
Editor
In the past, Richmond's trips up north have ended in tears, but the Tigers were too strong for an injury depleted Gold Coast, securing their spot in the top four with a comfortable 33-point victory. From the moment it was announced Gary Ablett's hamstring would put him on the sidelines again an hour before the match, the Suns were up against it. And despite an impressive four-goal opening term, with Jack Martin running riot, it was only a matter of time before the Tigers' dominance around the stoppages created further opportunities up the field. And so it proved, with the midfield weight of Dustin Martin (34 touches), Trent Cotchin (25) and Anthony Miles (23) controlling the clearances. And with three goals in the first and second quarters respectively, Daniel Rioli and Toby Nankervis were stepping up in the absence of spearhead Jack Riewoldt. This was a procession after quarter time, with the Tigers breaking the game open with a dominant second term and never looking troubled as they cruised to yet another confidence-boosing victory. And any time the Suns made a charge, as they did in the third term when a string of goals brought the margin back to just 12 points, injury, so often their bane under Rodney Eade, would strike. In the first half, both Callum Ah Chee (shoulder) and Alex Sexton (concussion) were forced to the sidelines, and in the third, a serious knee injury to lively youngster Ben Ainsworth left them with just one man on the bench for the final term. When all is said and done, the Suns did well to limit the margin to just 33. For that, they had Aaron Hall to thank, with the enigmatic Sun stepping up in the absence of Ablett to finish with a game-high 40 possessions. Tom Lynch won his duel with Alex Rance to finish with three, but while the Suns had plenty of earnest performers, the Ablett-sized hole in their midfield was always on display. Life without the little champ next year, with a move back to Geelong likely, is already looking challenging. As for the Tigers, their premiership hopes are now well and truly alive, and with Jason Castagna joining Rioli and Nankervis with three goals, Riewoldt's absence was hardly felt. And ahead of a challenging last month before the finals, a by-the-numbers triumph was just what the doctor ordered.
Tim Miller
Editor
Only time for a ball-up before the siren sounds. Tigers win! Gold Coast 10.5 (65) Richmond 14.14 (98) FULL TIME
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL RICHMOND Castagna wins a free kick for high contact against Joyce with time running down. Definitely there, and that'll cheer up the Tigers fans. Time ticking down, but Castagna shouldn't have any problems from directly in front, and he squeezes it home! It'll be a 33-point win for the Tigers. Gold Coast 10.5 (65) Richmond 14.14 (98) Q4, 0.01 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND RICHMOND Terrific long kick from Caddy goes to the advantage of Lambert, but a closing Swallow does brilliantly to punch it through for a rushed behind! But hang on, the umpire has pinged him for deliberate after rushing it from too far away! Gee, that's harsh, he was under all sorts of pressure. And poetically, Lambert's snap from the pocket misses. Gold Coast 10.5 (65) Richmond 13.14 (92) Q4, 1.14 left
Tim Miller
Editor
It's never been a blowout, but the Tigers have never really been threatened since the opening five minutes. A pretty simple night for all involved.
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL GOLD COAST Long ball to the Suns' hot spot, and Lynch rises to the heights to pull down a strong contested mark! Replays show a bit of a push out, which further enrages the Tiger fans who've felt hard done by all night (with a 25-17 free kick count, I suppose they have been a bit!) but it doesn't bother Lynch, who goes back from 10 and puts it through! His third. Gold Coast 10.5 (65) Richmond 13.13 (91) Q4, 4.37 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND GOLD COAST Big Peter Wright comes out to take a strong mark on the lead; his hands haven't been great tonight, but they were on that occasion. Just inside 50, but well within range for him, but his kick fades late to the left. Gold Coast 9.5 (59) Richmond 13.13 (91) Q4, 6.11 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL RICHMOND Bolton gathers on the flank and sends it long to the Tigers' hot spot, and Corey Ellis flies in to take a ripping back mark going back with the flight! From directly in front, 20 out, he should reward himself with a goal, and he does! Margin 33 now, and surely the Tigers are home. Gold Coast 9.4 (58) Richmond 13.13 (91) Q4, 7.54 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL RICHMOND Is that the killer blow? Tigers again surge forward as Cotchin finds Ellis running towards 50, and he finds Castagna on the lead. From 40, he's missed a few tonight but not so on this occasion! Tigers restore their 27-point lead. Gold Coast 8.10 (58) Richmond 12.13 (85) Q4, 11.46 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL GOLD COAST Suns still alive! Good play from Rosa in midfield to charge through some Tigers and bang it forward, where Lonergan is goalside on Grimes. He gathers, steadies, gets to 20 and puts it through! Back to 21: are they still in the hunt? Gold Coast 8.10 (58) Richmond 11.13 (79) Q4, 13.27 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Saad gathers on the flank and goes for home, his kick is on line all the way but just doesn't have the distance, and Astbury marks on the line.
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND RICHMOND Bit of a stalemate deep in Richmond's forward 50, with the Suns hitting a wall on the goal line, big Nankervis comes through trying to sneak through a fourth goal but the Suns worry him over the line for a point. Gold Coast 8.4 (52) Richmond 11.13 (79) Q4, 17.45 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND RICHMOND Cotchin gathers from a stoppage near the Tigers' goal, but his kick is offline. Gold Coast 8.4 (52) Richmond 11.12 (78) Q4, 18.54 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Underway for the final term, and after a recalled bounce, Witts wins the first tap, but it's the Tigers who clear first through Caddy, but the plan comes unstuck at half-forward and Hall clears for the Suns.
Tim Miller
Editor
Two late goals and a game-ending injury to Ben Ainsworth have seemingly ripped the heart out of the Suns, with the Tigers heading to the last change with a 25-point lead. For most of that third quarter, the Suns were just hanging in there, and courtesy of some more poor kicking for goal from the Tigers, they were able to draw the margin back to 12 points. But then the Tigers kicked into gear again, with Dustin Martin important, and a serious knee injury to Ben Ainsworth- joining Callum Ah Chee and Alex Sexton on the bench- leaves them with just one fit player on the bench for the last stanza. And seeing as they faded catastrophically last week against the Western Bulldogs with a full 22 to work with, it's difficult to see how they can get up in this one.
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL RICHMOND What a beauty from Castagna on the three-quarter time siren! Rioli forces an error from Saad on the wing and the Tigers surge again, and Rioli involved again as he lowers the eyes to find Castagna right on the boundary line. With time ticking down, he decides to take the responsibility on himself, and his banana from the pocket IS AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY! What a ripper from Georgie, and the Tigers might have seen off the Suns now! Gold Coast 8.4 (52) Richmond 11.11 (77) THREE QUARTER TIME