Having had won their previous four matches in comprehensive style against teams placed toward the bottom of the competition ladder, the Tigers started solid favourites last week against North Melbourne.
After the first break however, North dominated and registered a 62 point win.
Poor kicking by the Tigers, particularly in the second and third quarters where they booted 2.13 didn’t help their cause and is something they’ll have to remedy this week.
Their opponents this week have lost their past three games since a surprise win over North in Round 11.
Last week they lost to arch rivals Brisbane 116 – 83 but it was only the second half of the final quarter that the Lions were able to put the decision beyond doubt.
Whilst the Suns sorely missed Gary Ablett last week, especially late in game it should give confidence to the rest of their roster that they can compete without him.
Surprisingly, Richmond has never beaten the Gold Coast, losing both clashes to date by 15 and 2 points.
Richmond, who sit sixth on the ladder, need to win this game as their next three rounds consist of Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn and, with Collingwood, Port, West Coast and North breathing down their neck, this is a must win match.
Tips: RICHMOND 1 – 39
Odds comparison by AFL Odds:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Richmond Tigers | 1.26 | 1.24 | 1.23 | 1.24 | 1.26 | 1.27 |
|
Gold Coast Suns
|
3.85 | 4.00 | 4.10 | 4.00 | 3.85 | 3.90 |
Teams:
Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Ricky Petterd
HB: Chris Newman, Troy Chaplin, Reece Conca
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Daniel Jackson
HF: Aaron Edwards, Shane Edwards, Jake King
F: Ty Vickery, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
Int: Matt White, Matthew Arnot, Brandon Ellis, Nick Vlastuin
Emerg: Liam McBean, Matt Dea, Sam Lonergan
In: I.Maric, R.Petterd, M.Arnot
Out: O.Stephenson, J.Batchelor, M.Dea
Gold Coast
B: Trent McKenzie, Sam Day, Sebastian Tape
HB: Greg Broughton, Rory Thompson, Tom Murphy
C: Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Danny Stanley
HF: Jarrod Harbrow, Steven May, Aaron Hall
F: Campbell Brown, Josh Hall, Luke Russell
Foll: Tom Nicholls, David Swallow, Jaeger O’Meara
Int: Jared Brennan, Harley Bennell, Andrew Boston, Dion Prestia
Emerg: Alex Sexton, Maverick Weller, Joel Wilkinson
In: G.Ablett, S.Tape, J.Hall
Out: J.Wilkinson, D.Gorringe (shoulder), T.Sumner