SUMMARY
One team is on the up and the other on the slide in this Saturday night match at Metricon Stadium. Richmond surged into the top four last week with a strong win over premiership fancies Greater Western Sydney, while the Suns continued to plummet, losing their third-straight match with a nine-goal defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs. The Tigers are loaded with midfield talent, led by Brownlow favourite Dustin Martin and red-hot skipper Trent Cotchin, while All Australian full-back Alex Rance seems a perfect match for struggling Suns skipper Tom Lynch. The Tigers have had their share of troubles with Gold Coast over the years, but if they're serious about challenging for the top-four and ultimately the premiership, they should leave Carrara with four premiership points.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, July 29, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R12, 2016, Richmond 17.12 (114) d Gold Coast 15.7 (97) at the MCG
R20, 2015, Richmond 22.6 (138) d Gold Coast 8.7 (55) at the MCG
R1, 2014, Gold Coast 12.15 (87) d Richmond 10.9 (69) at Metricon Stadium
R16, 2013, Richmond 6.17 (53) d Gold Coast 6.8 (44) at Cazaly's Stadium
R16, 2012, Gold Coast 13.12 (90) d Richmond 13.10 (88) at Cazaly's Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Suns could have won when the teams last met, leading by 10 points at three-quarter time before the Tigers kicked eight goals to four in the final quarter. Dustin Martin picked up the three Brownlow votes with 38 disposals, eight inside 50s, six clearances and two goals.
2. Defensively the Tigers continue to be impressive, ranked third for least points conceded with an average of 79 per game. In contrast, the Suns are 16th, giving up an average of 103 points.
3. Nothing separates the teams from six contests, with three wins each. Four of the games have been decided by less than three goals.
4. Richmond is ranked second this season for marks inside 50, averaging 13.7, comfortably ahead of the Suns in equal-14th at an average of 11.1.
5. It’s been a mixed bag for the Tigers interstate in 2017, with two wins and two losses. Two games have been decided by 13 points or less and the other two by more than 50 points.
6. Dustin Martin is having an incredible season, and has moved to third overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings. He started the season ranked 30th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Shane Edwards
One of Richmond's unsung heroes, Edwards will chalk up his 200th game in this match. In his 11th season, the clever half-forward suffered a hip injury early in the year, but has slowly worked his way back to form and is averaging 17 disposals a game.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 27 points.
