Noah Balta and Adem Yze celebrate after the round six match between Richmond and Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, April 19, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

ADEM Yze has lauded Noah Balta's influential contribution in his controversial return as Richmond ended Gold Coast's unbeaten start to the season in a tense 11-point upset.

The surprise 12.8 (80) to 9.15 (69) result followed a week of fierce scrutiny over Richmond's handling of Balta's recall.

After serving a four-match ban, Balta made his first appearance of the season just three days before he will be sentenced for assault.

TIGERS v SUNS Full match coverage and stats

The premiership defender held opponent Ben King to one goal in a strong performance, despite the intense spotlight and the possibility of jail time hanging over his head.

"It's not only highlighting the talent of Noah but it highlights the effort and the training that he's done over the last three months," Yze said.

08:13

Highlights: Richmond v Gold Coast

The Tigers and Suns clash in round six of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

"He's done a mountain of work, extras, supporting our younger players ... not only to get himself right to play, but he's been trying to win back the respect of his footy club.

"He knows he let the club down, he knows he did something wrong, but he's been dealing with that every day.

"Noah's performance today was outstanding and it's a credit to him. We're really proud of him."

08:22

Yze post-match, R6: 'To our boys' credit, we just wanted to put up a fight'

Watch Richmond’s press conference after round six’s match against Gold Coast

Jeers for Balta by some in the relatively small crowd of 18,423 fans were regularly drowned out by cheers from Richmond supporters.

And the Tigers' faithful had plenty to celebrate as their rebuilding side sprung one of the biggest shocks of the season so far.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 20:08

    Mini-Match: Richmond v Gold Coast

    Extended highlights of the Tigers and Suns clash in round six of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

    AFL
  • 08:22

    Yze post-match, R6: 'To our boys' credit, we just wanted to put up a fight'

    Watch Richmond’s press conference after round six’s match against Gold Coast

    AFL
  • 05:39

    Hardwick post-match, R6: 'We're not going to jump at shadows'

    Watch Gold Coast’s press conference after round six’s match against Richmond

    AFL
  • 08:13

    Highlights: Richmond v Gold Coast

    The Tigers and Suns clash in round six of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Graham's haphazard goal gives Suns pulse

    Will Graham keeps his side's hopes alive with a soccer goal in the goal square in the final stages of the match

    AFL
  • 01:06

    Lethal Lalor: Tigers burn Suns in textbook team goal

    Sam Lalor finishes off a brilliant coast-to-coast play which started with a Toby Nankervis intercept mark

    AFL
  • 00:56

    Terrific Taranto fires up troops with ripper on the run

    Tim Taranto bags an excellent goal on the burst as Richmond continues its sensational performance

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  • 00:51

    Rioli lights up Marvel with outstanding snap

    Maurice Rioli jnr doesn't give up in this passage of play after Tom Lynch's deft touch keeps the footy alive

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  • 00:45

    Suns recruit goes in the book for wayward kick

    John Noble gets reported for this kick on Richmond's Jack Ross, who makes the most of the opportunity with a great set shot

    AFL
  • 01:13

    Mac in the middle as fiery scuffle gifts Tigers double goal

    A tense moment erupts after Jonty Faull’s first AFL major, with Mac Andrew caught in the crossfire and the Suns punished not once, but twice

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  • 00:48

    Tensions rise early as Lynch rubs it in against ex-side

    Former Suns captain Tom Lynch slots the opening goal of the night and sparks a fiery exchange as tempers flare in the opening term

    AFL

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick lamented his side's "poor" discipline early, when spotfires littered the contest, as well as the fact they were unable to capitalise on a 62-42 advantage in forward entries in their first loss of the year.

"We're not going to jump at shadows," Hardwick said.

"We had plus-20 inside-50s but we just didn't get the job done at ground level. That's the reality.

05:39

Hardwick post-match, R6: 'We're not going to jump at shadows'

Watch Gold Coast’s press conference after round six’s match against Richmond

"(Our forwards) are all relatively young and they're going to get better, but every now and then we probably get a performance that's a little bit inconsistent and below their level."

It was Richmond's first win at Marvel Stadium in a dozen games, ending a barren stretch that started in 2021 after then-Tigers coach Hardwick said he hated going to the "soulless" league-owned venue.