CODE-hopper Karmichael Hunt has produced his finest AFL moment, kicking a clutch goal after the siren to hand Gold Coast a stunning upset win over Richmond in Cairns.

In a see-sawing contest, the Suns led by 36 points in the first half, but fell as far as 18 points down in the final term, before booting three goals in time-on to snatch a 13.12 (90) to 13.10 (88) win in front of 10,961 fans at steamy Cazaly's Stadium.

Click here to watch the frantic final minutes

Remarkably, it was their first victory in almost exactly a year, having downed Richmond at the same venue last season, with the Tigers' decision to play home games in Cairns turning into a disaster.

The Suns had looked gone, before a long bomb goal from Josh Caddy then a brilliant effort on the run from Jarrod Harbrow put them within four points just shy of full-time.

They surged forward from the next centre bounce, where Brandon Matera hit Hunt 25m out with a scrappy pass, the ex-rugby league star showing great composure to slot the match-deciding shot from a 45-degree angle.

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The loss took Richmond to a 7-8 record and could be a crucial dent in its finals hopes.

There were danger signs for Richmond even before the game started.

In-form ruckman Ivan Maric and key defender Ben Griffiths were both late withdrawals, adding to a long list of missing first-choice players.

But coach Damien Hardwick said neither that nor the venue were excuses.

He labelled the match the Tigers' most disappointing this year and the first half "deplorable".

But he said the Tigers' finals hopes were still alive.

"It can go one of two ways from here, it can fracture us as a group or we can build on it and get back where we know we can," he said.

Things turned really dire for Richmond when defender Alex Rance had to be helped from the field with a leg injury in the second quarter and his opponent, Suns debutant Josh Hall, kicked two quick goals to help extend the lead to 36 points.

Rance returned and the Tigers kicked two late first-half goals, before coming out a renewed side in the third term, to kick the first five goals of the quarter, including three to Nahas, to surge in front.

They looked home after kicking three of the first four goals of the last term, before the Suns' spirited late revival.

Hunt said the win was one of the best sporting moments he'd every experienced.

"It's up there, it's definitely up there," the former rugby league and rugby union star said.

"We've had a pretty rough trot this year, we haven't had a win on the board. It's pretty important for us."

It was just the fourth goal in his 31 AFL games, coach Guy McKenna pointing out that some 300-plus game players never experienced such a moment.

Hunt said he was not nervous, at least until teammate Harley Bennell reminded him the siren had gone.

"I said 'I know mate, put a bit more pressure on me why don't you?'," Hunt said.

But skipper Gary Ablett eased the burden by telling him not to worry about the result.

"I took the pressure off myself and went back to the top of my run and remembered a few things that the coaches have been working on with kicking goals and rocked up and slotted it through," Hunt said.

Captain Ablett (33 disposals) starred for the victors and was well supported by Harley Bennell, while Matera (two goals) and Harbrow were both key players.

Jack Riewoldt kicked five goals for the Tigers and Robin Nahas four, while Trent Cotchin (38 disposals) and Brett Deledio (36) put in lion-hearted efforts.

RICHMOND          2.2   4.3    10.7   13.10  (88)                  
GOLD COAST      4.2    7.9     9.9    13.12  (90)          
 
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Nahas 4, McGuane 2, Graham, Maric.
Gold Coast: J Hall 2, Matera 2, Hunt 2, Ablett, Benell, Hunt, A Hall, Brown, Caddy, Swallow.
 
BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Deledio, Ellis, Riewoldt, Nahas, Conca
Gold Coast: Ablett, Bennell, Stanley, McKenzie, Matera, Harbrow, Hunt
 
INJURIES
Richmond: Ivan Maric (TBC) replaced in the selected side by Angus Graham, Ben Griffiths (TBC) replaced in selected side by Jeromey Webberley
Gold Coast: TBC
 
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Brett O'Hanlon replaced Jeromey Webberley in the second quarter
Gold Coast: Aaron Hall replaced Josh Hall in the third quarter
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: TBC
 
Official crowd: 10,961 at Cazaly's Stadium
 
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs