The second game on Saturday for AFL Round 1 is between Gold Coast Suns and Richmond Tigers. The match is to be played at Metricon Stadium with the opening bounce set to commence at 6.40pm local time with away team Richmond Tigers currently holding favouritism in the market. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Gold Coast Suns and Richmond Tigers.

Round: Round 1, Saturday March 15, 6.40pm
Stadium: Metricon Stadium
Weather: 29° Mostly sunny.

Odds Comparison:

Gold Coast Suns	2.70	2.70	2.70	2.70	2.70	2.50
Richmond Tigers	1.48	1.47	1.48	1.47	1.48	1.53

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

Gold Coast play Richmond on Saturday evening, 6.40pm at Metricon Stadium. This could be a tight encounter, with the Tigers slight favourites to take the early points. Saying that, however, the Suns enjoy a good 66 percent record against Richmond, and will benefit from an opening game at home on the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast Suns will be keen for a good start to the season, after a good 2013 with eight victories, more than any in their short history. There is a more positive outlook for the Suns this year, and a home victory will be a great place to start. The Tigers also had a great year in 2013, however, and will be favourites to win this match. They beat the Suns in their last game midway through the 2013 season, and went on to make their first finals campaign since 2001.

These two clubs are among the most exciting young teams in the 2014 competition, and this season will be a great preview of the next few years ahead. While the Tigers are definitely a few years ahead in terms of team development, the Suns are very capable of kicking off the season in style with a win at home.

Teams:

Gold Coast Suns:

B: Matthew Warnock, Steven May, Greg Broughton
HB: Sean Lemmens, Clay Cameron, Trent McKenzie
C: Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF: Aaron Hall, Tom Lynch, Jack Martin
F: Sam Day, Charlie Dixon, Brandon Matera
Fol: Tom Nicholls, Michael Rischitelli, Dion Prestia
I/C: David Swallow, Danny Stanley, Andrew Boston, Jaeger O’Meara
Emg: Alex Sexton, Timmy Sumner, Luke Russell

Richmond Tigers:
B: Troy Chaplin, Alex Rance, David Astbury
HB: Bachar Houli, Chris Newman, Steven Morris
C: Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Brandon Ellis
HF: Ricky Petterd, Reece Conca, Nick Vlastuin
F: Ben Griffiths, Ty Vickery, Jack Riewoldt
Fol: Shaun Hampson, Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio
I/C: Shane Edwards,Nathan Foley, Matt Thomas, Matt McDonough
Emg: Aaron Edwards, Nathan Gordon, Sam Lloyd

News:

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has warned against being too focussed on Gary Ablett in their AFL season opener against Gold Coast.

As expected, Tigers best and fairest winner Daniel Jackson will miss Saturday night’s away match because of an interrupted pre-season.

Hardwick hopes Jackson will be ready for the round-two blockbuster against Carlton.

Jackson is the Tigers’ No.1 option to play on Ablett through the midfield.

While Richmond have to work out a new plan for the Brownlow Medallist, Hardwick said the developing Suns have plenty of ways to hurt the Tigers in and around the stoppages.

Hardwick pointed to Michael Rischitelli, Rising Star winner Jaegar O’Meara, Dion Prestia and Harley Bennell as Suns midfielders who warranted respect.

“The danger with looking too much at Gary is you underestimate the other players in their side,” Hardwick said.

“You can manage to try and put all your eggs in one basket with Gary or actually realise that their midfield overall is a very solid unit that is capable of winning some footy games.”

Hardwick added there is no guaranteed way to plan for Ablett.

“We’ve thought about a lot of options for Gary Ablett,” he said.

“He’s a fantastic player and the thing you assume with Gary, he’s going to get his 25-30 touches anyway.

“It’s whether we go … with a defensive-minded player on him and try and limit him by two or three possessions or we try and attack him the other way.”

Hardwick is confident that Jackson will only miss their round-one match.

“He’s a little bit off, so he’ll get a couple of weeks of training under his belt and then we’ll look to bring him back for round two,” he said.

While Jackson has struggled to regain fitness, key forward Ty Vickery has starred in the pre-season.

Shaun Hampson’s arrival not only is crucial backup while Ivan Maric recovers from injury, but also frees up Vickery to play permanently in attack.

“We’re really pleased with what his output has been,” Hardwick said.

“It’s probably been a plan of our for a long period of time to just have him a pure key position player.

“We’re hoping he can kick a bag of goals this year.

“If we can get an output of 40 goals for the year and he tackles and chases, we’re in a good place.”

There are big expectations for Richmond and Gold Coast this season, with the Tigers aiming to make consecutive finals series for the first time in 30 years.

The Suns could be top-eight contenders for the first time and will fancy their chances against Richmond.

“They’re a side that is definitely on the way up,” Hardwick said.

“Every game within the AFL now is a danger game.

“You have to understand from a coaching perspective and inside this facility here, all the points are important.”