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
Mattyb
Guest
The Tigers continue to impress this yea.. Are they are premiership threat? The way the seasons going and how even the comp is they certainly are. Adelaide have probably looked the best side overall but I'd have Richmond second,there's a few games this year they played well in for the majority of the game but fell away and lost. Their ladder position is probably lower than it should actually be.
David C
Guest
Could very well win them all and finish top 2, who knows?
themadchatter
Guest
Tigers have not secured anything in the top 4 just yet. Still four rounds to go with games against Hawks, Cats, Dockers and Saints. Could very well lose 3 of them possibly 4.
The Ghost
Guest
Richmond are in the top four where we belong. That being said I was not impressed. We should have beaten a nineteen man GCS by a cricket score. It took a captain's goal by Cotchin to click Richmond into gear. We must play better than that. It seems like against rabble, like Brisbane and Gold Coast, we get dragged down to their level.
Cat
Roar Guru
Which won't happen this year so what you see is as good as the Tigers are going to be. IMO, they will be worse come finals, their way of playing won't hold up under finals pressure.
Cat
Roar Guru
Thats a very accurate observation though. The Tigers have done stuff all for closing in on 40 years.
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
Peter will never get on our band wagon as he thinks we are a rabble that have done stuff all post 1980.
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
Comment of the year.
David C
Guest
They certainly need another quality tall to stand beside Jack in the forward line. Griffiths is too injury prone.
Cat
Roar Guru
Or this is as good as they are.
David C
Guest
The thing with Richmond is they are winning games without putting it all together. They can still go to another level if it all clicks.
Swannies
Guest
Yes...Richmond are the real deal and Crows and Cats are getting nervous! It's Tiger time folks!
truetigerfan
Guest
Just how good the Tiges can be remains to be seen. Surely our best is yet to come! Stay off the bandwagon Peter the Squib.
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
It was a regulation win. We showed our critics that we can kick a winning score sans Riewoldt.