Dustin Martin stars as Tigers down Suns

Dustin Martin’s outstanding performance has rescued Richmond, who kept their faltering AFL season alive with a 17-point win over Gold Coast.

Martin was clearly best afield as the Tigers came from 15 points down in the last quarter to win 17.12 (112) to 15.7 (97).

A loss to the Suns would have been a dagger through the heart for the Tigers, who started the weekend three games and plenty of percentage outside the top eight.

Richmond kicked six of the last seven goals in a frenetic last quarter and twice came from behind to win.

Typical of how their season has gone so far, the Tigers eventually won it the hard way.

A three-goal run to Richmond gave them the lead in the last term, but a goal to Tom Nicholls at 21 minutes put the Suns back in front.

Then Martin capped his day, first by setting up Sam Lloyd for a goal and kicking one himself to put the game beyond Gold Coast.

As the Suns promised pre-match, they threw everything at Richmond – but were unable to finish off their good work.

It is their ninth-straight loss and defender Kade Kolodjashnij was also sent to hospital after a sickening collision in the third term.

In his 50th game, Kolodjashnij was setting himself for a marking contest when Lloyd flew from behind him.

Lloyd’s knee smashed into the back of his head, knocking him out cold.

Play was held up for several minutes while medical staff attended to Kolodjashnij and took him from the ground on a motorised stretcher.

The Suns backman was talking in the rooms afterwards, but went to hospital as a precaution.

In a game full of momentum shifts, Gold Coast key forward Tom Lynch starred with four goals and his captain Gary Ablett was also prominent.

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin and key defender Alex Rance impressed for the Tigers.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick appeared to have an animated discussion with match officials at three-quarter time.

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