Richmond VFL has made it three wins in-a-row after defeating the Gold Coast Suns by 26 points, 15.6 (96) to 11.4 (70).
The 26-point win on Sunday morning marks the Tigers’ second over the Suns this season, the first coming in Round 1 at People First Stadium by 23 points.
In an arm-wrestle of a contest early-on, the Tigers kicked the first two majors of the game via Sam Davidson (13 disposals, two goals, three marks, four tackles) and Jacob Bauer.
Bauer was potent on the day, finishing with three goals and three marks from his four disposals.
A fine performance from Kaleb Smith also helped Richmond to the victory, finishing with 22 disposals and seven tackles in the Tigers' win.
Courtesy of Austin Johnson’s strong start out on a wing (21 disposals, four marks, two goals) and Sam Davidson’s crafty overhead goal, the hosts secured an eight-point quarter-time lead.
In the second term, it was the Suns that started hot.
Their first goal came within 15 seconds of the first bounce, and two more followed in the quarter.
A highlight in the second term came from Kane McAuliffe who launched from outside-50 to score an outstanding goal.
He was strong against the Suns with 17 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances and one goal.
Another positive was the strong performance of vice-captain Mutaz El Nour.
In his first game back for the Tigers since suffering an AC joint injury against Coburg in Round 6, El Nour finished with 16 disposals and eight marks.
Despite losing the quarter, the hosts maintained a slim three-point lead at the main break.
Fresh off the half-time break, the visitors got the all-important first goal of the second half.
Despite losing their lead early-on in the second half, the Tigers responded strongly in the third term with an impressive six-goal blitz, five of which came in consecutive fashion within a 15-minute period of play.
After Johnson kicked his second goal of the game, Lachlan Wilson, Nick Guiney (12 disposals, two marks, one goal) and co stand-in skipper Joel Garner (19 disposals, 10 hit-outs, eight clearances, one goal) all converted in the third term.
Wilson was outstanding on Sunday morning and finished with 23 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances to go along with his two goals in the third term.
From trailing in the quarter, the hosts responded strongly to establish a 28-point lead heading into the final term off the back of a six-goal-to-two quarter.
Like the second and third quarters, the Suns kicked the first goal of the final term, however, goals from livewire duo Mohammad Yassine (10 disposals two marks, two tackles, one goal) and Liam George (11 disposals, three marks, one goal) shut out any chance of a comeback.
The Tigers got out to as large as a 33-point lead and cruised to secure their ninth victory of the season.
Post-bye, the Tigers have won three games in-a-row, and continue to build strongly towards a finals campaign.
Richmond have improved to a nine-and-five record, moving up to seventh on the 2024 VFL Ladder.
They look ahead to their next challenge against Williamstown at DSV Stadium next Saturday, July 20 from 5:05pm.
Richmond 4.2 6.3 12.4 15.6 (96)
Gold Cost 3.0 6.0 8.0 11.4 (70)
Goalkickers: Bauer (3), Davidson (2), Johnson (2), Wilson (2), Yassine, George, Collier, Garner, McAuliffe, Guiney
Best: Wilson, Smith, Johnson, Harris, Garner, Dow, Hayes-Brown
