Gold Coast have picked up a huge win in the context of their season with a 48-71 victory over Richmond at Marvel Stadium.
With both sides entering the game in average form at best, the game was one that probably proved where both sides are at in a tough watch for fans.
Gold Coast started the game better than their opponents, with the weight of football sitting in their front half.
Despite Gold Coast having more of the ball, they were terribly inefficient as they barely hit the scoreboard in the first half.
Luckily though, while Richmond had 11 shots to goal in the first half compared to Gold Coast’s six, the Tigers were woefully inaccurate with 2.9 at the main break.
In a game that continued to lack quality, Gold Coast began to break the game open early in the third and they’d go on to kick six goals to two in the third term which would prove decisive.
While the Suns slowed in the last term as they kicked just one goal, Richmond were coming from too far behind to ever really trouble as they went down by points.
Gold Coast’s win came off the back of kicking better than their opponents in front of the big sticks as well as breaking even with the Tigers at the source.
Noah Anderson was huge for the Suns with one goal and 32 disposals while Wil Powell (28 disposals) and Darcy Macpherson (31 disposals) caused the Tigers plenty of issues.
Anderson makes the Tigers pay 😎#AFLTigersSuns pic.twitter.com/QT7I5slRMk
— AFL (@AFL) April 30, 2023
Probably the biggest difference in the game though was Ben King who kicked four majors, as he proved a trump card in a low-scoring game.
For Richmond, Tim Taranto continued to collect plenty of ball with 32 touches and a goal, he was supported by Jayden Short (31 disposals) while developing ruckman Samson Ryan continued to show signs of his progression.
Ryan on the run!#AFLTigersSuns pic.twitter.com/kGp356WVIa
— AFL (@AFL) April 30, 2023
At 1-1-5, Richmond will need to turn their season around quickly if they’re any chance of playing finals and they’ll go in search of their second win when they host West Coast at the MCG next Saturday.
Gold Coast will hope to continue their winning ways when they host Melbourne at home on Saturday as well.
FULL SCORE
Richmond: 1.5, 2.9, 4.11, 6.12 (48)
Gold Coast: 2.1, 4.2, 10.3, 11.6 (72)
GOALS
Richmond: Ryan 2, Bolton, Riewoldt, Soldo, Taranto
Gold Coast: King 4, Holman 2, Anderson, Ainsworth, Ellis, Fiorini, Witts
BEST
Richmond: Tim Taranto, Jayden Short, Samson Ryan, Nathan Broad
Gold Coast: Noah Anderson, Ben King, Wil Powell, Charlie Ballard, Darcy Macpherson
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil
Crowd: 23,664 at Marvel Stadium