AFL premiers Richmond have made a mixed start to the final AFLX tournament in Sydney, with a win and a last-second loss in their two games.
A record tournament score of 88 by Sydney was among the early highlights of the tournament’s Saturday edition at Allianz Stadium, although Gold Coast equalled that tally later.
The Tigers’ side for their first game contained three premiership players from last year in Jason Castagna, Nathan Broad and Dan Butler.
Reece Conca kicked an early 10-point goal for Richmond, who led for most of the game and won 49-34.
In Richmond’s second game, they trailed Brisbane early, but Castagna kicked two regulation goals and a 10-pointer in between.
Noah Balta potted one from more than 50 metres out and Callum Moore added another long-distance goal, but Mitch Robinson stole a 66-61 victory for the Lions, with a 10-pointer at the death.
Sydney defender Dane Rampe emerged as an unlikely goalkicking hero in the Swans’ 88-36 win over a very inexperienced Western Bulldogs side.
Rampe, who has kicked just six goals in 115 senior games, notched three 10-pointers in the first half, in which the Swans scored the first 55 points.
Their scoring slowed after halftime, but their final total was the highest of the fledgling competition, exceeding the previous best of 83 tallied by North Melbourne.
Gold Coast were caught in traffic on their way to the venue, but impressed with an 88-22 thumping of the Bulldogs.