TWO OF the most exciting young teams in the competition will match up in round one at Metricon Stadium. Although Richmond is a couple of years ahead in terms of development - they played finals last season for the first time since 2001 - the Suns will see themselves as a good chance of sneaking a win here. Although the midfield match-up between Gary Ablett and Trent Cotchin will rightfully take most of the attention, there are a number of young stars littered all over the ground. Dustin Martin, Reece Conca and Brandon Ellis should square off nicely against Dion Prestia, Harley Bennell and Jaeger O'Meara. It is also young Sun Jack Martin's first appearance.
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WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday March 15, 6.40pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
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. After two previous losses at Cairns' Cazalys Stadium, Richmond broke its duck against Gold Coast last time, winning by nine points.
2. No team laid less tackles in 2013 than Richmond, who were ranked 18th with just 56 tackles per game. Gold Coast were ranked 13th with 60 per game.
3. Richmond was one of the best marking teams in the competition last year, ranked third, while the Suns struggled and were ranked 16th.
4. Gold Coast is starting to make Metricon Stadium a legitimate home ground advantage, winning six of its 11 matches there in 2013. They had won only two of 19 in 2011-12.
5. Richmond has not played at Metricon Stadium since 2009, and have not won there since 1991, when they defeated the Brisbane Bears by seven points.
6. Gary Ablett starts the season ranked No.1 on the AFL Official Player Ratings with a big gap back to Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield. Trent Cotchin is the highest placed Tiger at No.36.
Prediction: Richmond by 12 points
