Richmond kick-started its 2024 VFL campaign with a 23-point win over reigning premier Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Saturday
It was a exciting opening performance of the season by the Tigers, the final score reading 11.10 (76) to 7.11 (53).
Richmond's first goal of the 2024 campaign came via Kane McAuliffe, in what was his first official goal in the Yellow and Black.
Noah Cumberland then got in on the action shortly after, as his bomb from outside 50 sailed through to result in back-to-back goals for the Tigers.
The Tigers' swift ball movement paved the way for Archie May and Tyler Sonsie to then hit the scoreboard, creating a strong start for the visitors.
The highlight of the term came from Sam Naismith, who intercepted a Gold Coast kick-in, played on, and slotted through the Tigers fifth of the quarter from right on 50 metres.
His major complemented his strong start of eight disposals and 12 hit-outs in the opening term.
Meanwhile, Sonsie and McAuliffe got to work in the middle, combining for 23 disposals and two goals in the first quarter as the Tigers hit the reigning premiers for five.
Chad Harris opened scoring in the second quarter with his first goal since returning in the Yellow and Black from a classy finish on his opposite foot.
Courtesy of Mohammed Yassine’s crafty work, Cumberland’s instinctive snap over his shoulder then led to his second goal, and the Tigers second of the quarter.
Naismith continued to assert his dominance around the ground, and the Tigers were in control against the reigning premiers with a 24-point lead going into the main break.
The Tigers started the second half with back-to-back goals from Samson Ryan and Austin Johnson, extending the lead to a game-high 37-point margin.
The Suns responded and mount a surged, finishing the quarter with three goals in a row as they trimmed down the margin down to 16 points going into the final term.
In what was a tight last quarter, the Tigers defended well, led by intercept defender Mutaz El Nour.
Under siege at stages in the last quarter from a resurgent Suns outfit, the Tigers defence absorbed their momentum, and held them to a zero-goal final quarter.
The first-and-only goal of the final term came late, courtesy of Jacob Koschitzke.
His soccer from inside the goal square extended the lead to 22 points, and iced the game for the Tigers.
The win against the reigning VFL Premiers saw plenty of strong performances, including Kane McAuliffe (30 disposals, one goal), Tyler Sonsie (26 disposals, one goal), Sam Naismith (22 disposals, 32 hit-outs), Lachlan Street (23 disposals, six marks), Austin Johnson (20 disposals, one goal) and Hugo Ralphsmith (20 disposals, nine marks)
The Tigers now shift their attention to their Round 2 match-up against Sydney next Sunday, March 31 at the Swinburne Centre, a curtain raiser ahead of the clash between the two AFL sides.
Gold Coast 2.2 3.5 7.8 7.11 (53)
Richmond 5.3 7.5 10.6 11.10 (76)
Best: McAuliffe, Sonsie, Naismith, Ralphsmith, Street and Johnson
Goals: Cumberland (2), May (2), Harris, Johnson, Koschitzke, McAuliffe, Naismith, Ryan, Sonsie
