Tigers burnt as the Suns prove too hotBy Andrew Stafford
The Age
July 1, 2021 — 10.42pmAfter last week’s humiliation at the hands of St Kilda, Richmond – you’d think – would have gone into their match against the flailing Gold Coast Suns in a mean mood.
Pre-game, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick spoke of it as the most important match of the season to date as they went in search of their own DNA. What was once innate has become alien.
But it was clear from the opening minutes of the match that whatever virus has infected the Tigers, they’re yet to shake it off. All the symptoms were still there: kicks sprayed out on the full; handballs that missed the target by metres; tackles too easily broken; elementary turnovers. Most of all, where was the pressure on which they’ve built their dynasty?
Make no mistake, the Tigers are sick. And now they are looking very, very sorry, with the Suns pulling off an even bigger upset than last week, young key forward Ben King kicking his fourth goal in the final two minutes to seal the game and leaving the Tigers lurching at seven wins and eight losses.
And the Suns fully deserved the win. They led for the vast majority of the game, had most of the best players on the field, and ended up looking like the team with more to play for. It will be an enormous relief for coach Stuart Dew, and a shot of belief for a team that itself sometimes seems unsure if it belongs in the competition.
Had the Tigers won, it would have been a heist. And yet they nearly managed it, Tom Lynch’s five goals after a five-week injury lay-off almost proving the difference. But other than he and Bachar Houli, who recovered after a jittery start to finish among the best afield, the Tigers looked brittle and thin, a shell of the side that has swept all before them.
The Suns, on their knees after losing to bottom-placed North Melbourne last week and missing their most physical player, Hugh Greenwood, were the ones who came to play. With nothing left to lose, they attacked the game with a derring-do that was absent a week before. Surely, though, they were shocked at how much space they were given.
By half-time, the Suns had a six-point lead that should have been six goals, on the back of a handy edge in both contested possessions (71-59) and tackles (29-21). That tells you everything about the lack of intensity Richmond brought to the table, after their coach had put their season on the line.
Yet again, the biggest driver for the Suns was Touk Miller, who should surely win his first All-Australian jumper. He played the game of his career to date, winning nine clearances and seven tackles on top of 36 possessions to be by far and away the dominant player on the ground, hurting the Tigers both inside and out.
King also continued to stamp himself as one of the brightest young talents in the competition, as well as a much surer kick for goal than his St Kilda brother Max.
Jack Lukosius was tremendous, too, his elite kicking and composure again a highlight, and captain David Swallow was all heart and hardness.
For two teams coming off such galling performances the previous week, it was astonishing that it was the team whose collective heart and hardness has long been in question that came away with the win. After having the question asked of them, it was the triple premiers, Richmond, who didn’t have the answers.
They are young enough and talented enough to rise again, and soon. But season 2021 may be a bridge too far now. Fremantle, Essendon and GWS are all snapping at their heels for a finals place. Whether they make it or not, a long, hard week of soul searching at Punt Road lies ahead.
Once again, midfielder Touk Miller was outstanding for the Suns and was the best afield.
“I don’t know what to say about Touk,” Dew said. “We’re lucky to have him at our footy club. He’s having a season to remember.”
GOLD COAST 2.7 5.10 8.14 10.17 (77)
RICHMOND 2.1 5.4 8.5 10.7 (67)
GOALS
Gold Coast: King 4, Sharp, Rankine, Corbett, Swallow, Ainsworth, Sexton.
Richmond: Lynch 5, Bolton, Martin, Riewoldt, Graham, Naish.
BEST
Gold Coast: Miller, Swallow, Lukosius, King, Ainsworth, Ballard, Ellis.
Richmond: Lynch, Houli, Martin, Bolton, Pickett, Grimes.
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Corbett (concussion).
UMPIRES
Donlon, Howorth, Whetton.
CROWD
9327 at Marvel Stadium.
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