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.
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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.
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.
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.
Ahead of a challenging last month before the finals, a by-the-numbers triumph was just what the doctor ordered.
Gold Coast Suns 10.5 65
Richmond Tigers 14.14 98
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