An eight-goal final term was enough for Richmond to see off Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, in a battle that went down to the final minutes of the game.
Trailing by 15 points when Matt Rosa dribbled through a goal for the Suns in the early stages of the last quarter, the Tigers lifted to kick six of the last seven goals of the game to post a 17-point victory, 17.12 114 to 15.7 97.
Dustin Martin was clearly the best player on the ground with 36 touches, eight inside 50s, six clearances, four tackles and two goals.
Brett Deledio and Shane Edwards were also influential in the win with three goals each, including crucial goals in the see-sawing final quarter.
Edwards's goal came in between majors from Kane Lambert and Shaun Hampson which gave Richmond the lead they wouldn't give back late in the final term.
At times, the marking power of the Suns looked to be too strong for the Tigers, with their tall timber, including Tom Lynch (four goals) and Peter Wright (two goals), marking and converting set-shots at will. But Richmond was able to wrestle back control in the midfield late in the game and restrict their supply as the hosts ran home to victory.
The Tigers could only muster one goal in the third term, as Gold Coast turned a 16-point half-time deficit into a ten-point lead at the final break. It was quite the goal though, with Ben Griffiths rising high above a pack to pluck a contender and snap home the set-shot.
Round 12: Griff's giant grab
Shaun Grigg and Trent Cotchin continued their reliable 2016 form, each picking up 28 touches, while Hampson led the way in the ruck, winning 42 hit-outs.
Despite his direct opponent booting four goals, Alex Rance was another Tiger who shone against the Suns in a captivating duel with Lynch.
Damien Hardwick was pleased with his team's performance for most of the game.
"I thought for three quarters we played well," the Tigers coach said.
"We lost control a bit in the third obviously. I think it was nine scoring shots to one or two. The other three quarters were pretty solid."
Changes were made to the team, such as Jayden Short being used in defence. Hardwick said progress was being made in the evolution of his side.
"We're trying a couple of things, a couple of players in different positions, so there's going to be a bit of heartache along the way, but overall we probably thought we took a little bit of a step forward with some of things we were looking for today," he said.
The Tigers have a bye next week before hosting the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday June 26.
Round 12: Dusty's gut-running goal
Richmond 4.2 8.7 9.9 17.12 114
Gold Coast 3.2 6.3 11.7 15.7 97
Goals:
Richmond – Deledio 3, Edwards 3, Griffiths 2, Lloyd 2, Martin 2, Cotchin, Vickery, Lambert, Hampson, Riewoldt
Gold Coast – Lynch 4, Davis 2, Wright 2, Day, May, Sexton, Harbrow, Ablett, Rosa, Nicholls
