SUMMARY
Richmond's season has hit the skids again and there is little hope of a revival now after a 70-point loss to North Melbourne in round 11. So far this season the Tigers have been able to cling to their recovery missions of 2013-15, when they won nine of their last 12 games, but a repeat of those heroics looks unlikely on form. Their last and arguably most deflating defeat was made worse by the loss of Steven Morris (knee), who is now sidelined for the rest of the season. Still, Richmond will be favoured to account for a Gold Coast team that has not won since round three. The Suns battled on at a waterlogged Metricon Stadium in round 11, eventually losing to the Sydney Swans by 38 points. It was their eighth consecutive loss, but coach Rodney Eade said his team had grown in the torrid conditions.
Tiger Alex Rance and Sun Tom Lynch look set for another epic battle. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday, June 12, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
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 Cazalys Stadium
R16, 2012, Gold Coast 13.12 (90) d Richmond 13.10 (88) at Cazalys Stadium
R17, 2011, Gold Coast 12.13 (85) d Richmond 9.16 (70) at Cazalys Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Richmond thrashed Gold Coast in the second half the last time the sides played, kicking 14 goals to three. Ty Vickery kicked four goals and Dustin Martin was best on ground with 29 disposals, six tackles and three goals.
2. Since winning their first three games, the Suns have lost eight consecutive matches. Five of their defeats have been by more than 50 points, conceding an average score of 132 points a game.
3. The Suns are ranked second-last for inside 50s this season, averaging 46.1 a game. They’re ranked 14th for scoring with an average of 80 points a game.
4. Richmond is ranked equal-eighth in centre clearances with an average of 13.5 a game. This should be an advantage against the Suns, who rank 16th with an average of 11.5 a game.
5. Gold Coast will be looking for its first win at the MCG since round five, 2014. The Suns have played nine times at the MCG in their history for two wins.
6. Richmond midfielder Shaun Grigg has climbed 25 spots in the Schick AFL Player Ratings in the past fortnight. He had a career-high 38 possessions against North Melbourne in round 11.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Brandon Ellis.
The Tigers midfielder was forced to re-live his elimination final nightmare in round 11 when Sam Gibson kept him to just seven possessions and one inside 50. It's been an up and down season for the 22-year-old, who racked up 39 possessions against Adelaide in round three but has dropped below 20 on four occasions. For the first time in his five seasons Ellis looks vulnerable at selection and he will be keen to respond in his 100th game.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 24 points
