Australian Football

Match Report

Richmond has overcome its Cairns and Gold Coast hoodoo to defeat the Suns by nine points in a scrappy game in blustery conditions at Cazaly's Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With the wind heavily favouring one end, both sides adopted defensive tactics when kicking into it, resulting in an ultimately low-scoring affair, with neither side able to set up a convincing lead at any stage.

The Suns had first use of the gale and managed 3.3 against Richmond's 1.3 to take a 12-point lead into the first break. As expected, the Tigers hit back when they had their turn with the breeze at their back, and they kicked 3.7 to the Suns' 1.1 to lead by a goal at half time. More accurate kicking could have seen that lead increased, with Richmond ending the half with six more scoring shots than Gold Coast.

Despite only two goals being kicked in the term, the third quarter was probably the match-winning one for the Tigers, as they managed to keep the Suns to just 1.2 with the wind, while kicking 1.3 themselves against it.

Richmond kicked the first goal of the last quarter and looked to have the game comfortably in its keeping. However their were nervous moments for Tigers players and fans alike when Campbell Brown goaled for the Suns with 90 seconds left on the clock to bring the Suns within 10 points. Memories of last year's corresponding match, in which the Suns kicked three goals in the dying minutes to pinch victory, came flooding back. Not long after Andrew Boston had another shot at goal that would have reduced the margin to under a goal. But the third-gamer pulled the shot and Richmond hung on to record its first win at Cazaly's Stadium.

The win leaves Richmond entrenched well inside the eight, three games clear of ninth-placed Carlton, and September action is now a virtual certainty for the Tigers. The Suns have slipped back to 14th place, with five wins from their 15 games.

Best for the Tigers were Dustin Martin (31 possessions), Trent Cotchin (29 touches) and Daniel Jackson (24 disposals and two goals). For the Suns, Dion Prestia (27 possessions) and Gary Ablett (26 disposals) were amongst the best.

GOALS
Richmond: Jackson 2; Riewoldt, Arnot, Foley, Ellis
Gold Coast: Brown, O'Meara, McKenzie, Day, Bennell, Shaw

BEST - THE AGE
Richmond: Martin, Cotchin, Jackson, Chaplin, Petterd
Gold Coast: Ablett, Nicholls, McKenzie, Shaw, Brown

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Richmond: Jackson, Martin, Cotchin, Ellis, Chaplin, Deledio
Gold Coast: McKenzie, Prestia, Ablett, Nicholls, O'Meara, Shaw

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Gold Coast: Rory Thompson (internal injuries)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Aaron Edwards replaced by Shaun Grigg
Gold Coast: Rory Thompson (internal injuries) replaced by Andrew Boston

UMPIRES: Donlon, Bannister, Pannell