Match report: Tigers stutter but get home over SunsDinny Navaratnam
AFL.com.au
June 12, 2016 5:58 PMA MAGNIFICENT performance from Dustin Martin helped keep Richmond's faint finals hopes alive with a 17-point win against Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Martin finished with 36 disposals in a match-winning effort to consign the Suns to their ninth consecutive loss, 17.12 (114) to 15.7 (97).
The midfielder was dominant up forward in the last quarter, proving far too strong for Trent McKenzie. The Tiger set up a Sam Lloyd goal and booted another himself after winning a free kick.
Poor disposal blighted the first half but Martin stood out in what was initially an uninspiring contest. His kicking was a highlight, putting the ball on a platter for the forwards.
Gold Coast's three-pronged forward line of Tom Lynch, Peter Wright and Sam Day looked dangerous, with Lynch particularly effective.
He finished with four goals and 10 marks in an engaging duel against All Australian defender Alex Rance.
Lynch's ability to take grabs wasn't his only highlight. A free kick against Rance early in the last term for holding the ball saw the Sun put another through the big sticks, leaving his side 15 points up.
Gold Coast led by three goals after Matthew Rosa bagged a goal but, led by Martin, the Tigers fought back in a see-sawing contest.
Kane Lambert, Shane Edwards and Shaun Hampson hit back for Richmond.
The Suns themselves trailed by 16 points at the main break, but led by captain Gary Ablett, they came out with a renewed vigour. The skipper won a pair of centre clearances to ensure the game didn't slip out of control.
Play was halted for a few minutes in the third term when Kade Kolodjashnij was knocked out after Sam Lloyd kneed him in the head when making a legitimate marking attempt.
It didn't affect the Suns' momentum though, with Ablett bringing the margin back to two points.
Ablett was superb all match and did his finest work at the stoppages, as he racked up 24 disposals and 11 clearances.
It was a rough start to the game for Rodney Eade's men, when Ryan Davis booted the ball into Alex Rance when the Suns should have had a certain goal.
Tiger supporters voiced their displeasure with Tyrone Vickery's performance when he received Bronx cheers for his first touch late in the second term, but the forward was supported more genuinely after a terrific chest mark between two Suns defenders.
With the resultant kick he registered what was his only major for the game.
MEDICAL ROOM
Richmond: Backman David Astbury hobbled off the ground in the last quarter with what appeared to be a left ankle issue, and he was forced down into the rooms. Astbury would later return to the field.
Gold Coast: Kade Kolodjashnij was knocked unconscious in the third quarter after being kneed in the head when Sam Lloyd flew for a mark. Sean Lemmens was limping after a marking contest and appeared to hurt his right lower leg but waved trainers away.
NEXT UP
Both teams have the bye next week. In round 14, the Tigers face another struggling Queensland team in the Brisbane Lions, on Saturday afternoon at the MCG. The Suns will travel down to Tasmania to face Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium on the Sunday.
RICHMOND 4.2 8.7 9.9 17.12 (114)
GOLD COAST 3.2 6.3 11.7 15.7 (97)
GOALS
Richmond: Edwards 3, Deledio 3, Martin 2, Lloyd 2, Griffiths 2, Vickery, Lambert, Hampson, Cotchin, Riewoldt
Gold Coast: Lynch 4, Wright 2, Davis 2, Sexton, Day, Rosa, Nicholls, May, Harbrow, Ablett
BEST
Richmond: Martin, Cotchin, Rance, Grigg, Edwards, Deledio, Griffiths
Gold Coast: Ablett, Lynch, Rosa, Rischitelli, Nicholls, May
INJURIES
Richmond: Astbury (left ankle)
Gold Coast: Kolodjashnij (concussion)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Deboy, McInerney
Official crowd: 30,448 at the MCG
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-12/tigers-stutter-but-get-home-over-suns
