Richmond survived an almighty final quarter scare against former premiership coach Damien Hardwick, winning their second game of 2025 by 11 points to end Gold Coast’s unbeaten start to the season.
The Tigers led at every interval to hit the Suns square between the eyes on Saturday night, with the final score reading 12.8 (80) to 9.15 (69) in favour of the hosts.
A six-goal to one third term for the yellow and black blew the game wide apart, and left Gold Coast with too much to do with too little time. They were able to kick five goals in the final term, incredibly outdoing their four from the first three quarters.
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Hardwick has now won just one of his last 11 matches coaching at the enclosed Marvel Stadium, a venue where he has previously expressed his displeasure to coach at.
His old club the Tigers took the fight straight to them from the very first bounce, with new coach Adem Yze’s side kicking the first three goals of the clash, with tempers flaring after each of the three majors. Defender Mac Andrew and former Sun Tom Lynch were particularly involved in a war of words and jumper punches.
“I loved the initiative the Tigers have shown … I love their energy,” three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo told Fox Footy at the main break.
“We’ve seen glimpses of this throughout the course of the year.
“(First quarter heat) Highlights to me the energy and passion they’re playing with. This is a young group trying to set the foundation for the future.”
‘There’s no way he should be playing’ | 03:47
Nick Vlastuin was exceptional in defence, accruing 27 disposals, 13 marks and 660 metres gained — including a whopping 15 intercept possessions; 11 of which came before the main break.
Tim Taranto (35 disposals — 18 contested, six clearances, six tackles) was also super impactful, while a pair of goals from Tom Lynch and Seth Campbell up forward were crucial for the home side.
THE 3-2-1… (with Ben Cotton)
3. YOUNG TIGERS STUN SUNS IN SHOCK UPSET
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the early parts of this season, Richmond is not to be taken lightly in 2025.
The Tigers pulled out their second shock upset win of the season amid several competitive performances, stunning the previously unbeaten Suns at Marvel Stadium.
You knew from the early minutes of the game the Tigers had extra enthusiasm, passion and belief including getting physical and chirpy with Gold Coast (more on that later).
The Tigers kicked the first three goals and led at quarter-time for the first time this season.
You were waiting for Adem Yze’s young side to drop off at some point. While Richmond was held goalless in the fourth quarter as Gold Coast came charging back, the Tigers still maintained the rage and competitiveness around the contest.
The upset win over Carlton in Round 1 may have had more shock factor, but based on results and form, this was more impressive as 17th beat 3rd on the ladder.
It was arguably the upset of the year and emphatic performance from Yze’s young side it’ll build plenty more belief from.
“I loved the initiative the Tigers have shown … I love their energy,” Saints legend Nick Dal Santo said on Fox Footy half-time.
“We’ve seen glimpses of this throughout the course of the year.
“This highlights to me the energy and passion they’re playing with. This is a young group trying to set the foundation for the future.”
It included the Tigers dominating the Suns in contested possessions for the majority of the night and finishing +8 (133-123) – an area Damien Hardwick’s side is usually so strong in.
Cats legend Cameron Mooney heaped praise on the “maligned” Tim Taranto for leading the charge for the Tigers in the middle of the ground with a game-high 33 disposals and 18 contested possessions.
“(Taranto has) been pretty maligned since he’s come over to Tigerland, but he’s been outstanding tonight,” Mooney said.
“He has been the driving force through the middle of the ground.”
2. ‘GUYS THROWN EVERYWHERE’: TEMPERS FLARE IN HEATED FIRST QUARTER
It was a spicy affair at Marvel Stadium and no love lost between these two sides. Particularly early.
Tempers flared after Tom Lynch’s opening goal in the first two minutes of the game sparked a scuffle between multiple players.
That continued when Richmond got a double goal soon after, with Seth Campbell drawing a free kick on Mac Andrew in another heated moment that involved several more players from both sides.
But Andrew and Lynch, who were matched up on each other, were the main culprits in the thick of the action to make for an extra entertaining battle between the two key position guns.
The pair “did not stop yapping at each other” all quarter, according to Cats legend Cameron Mooney, in a matchup you couldn’t take your eyes off.
“It was unbelievable how this turned in the first five minutes. There was guys getting thrown everywhere,” Mooney said.
Of course, there’s been some high-profile player moves between the clubs including Lynch and Dion Prestia moving from Gold Coast to Richmond, while Daniel Rioli headed the other way last trade period.
Plus three-time premiership Richmond coach Damien Hardwick sensationally made the move north after departing Punt Road early in 2023.
There’s also history between Lynch and Sam Collins dating back to a heated battle between the two players in 2020.
“It was a bit hot… there was a little bit of history, that particular matchup goes back to 2020, with a bit of biff that happened back then,” Saints legend Nick Dal Santo said.
“There was a bit of feeling in the game.”
1. VLASTUIN’S ‘DOMINANT’ FIRST HALF
Nick Vlastuin could not be stopped in a commanding first half.
Vlastuin racked up 11 intercept possessions over the first two quarters, which was the most of any player in a half this year in a return Norm Smith medallist Nick Dal Salto called “dominant.”
The gun defender also racked up 21 of his 27 touches and 10 of his 13 marks in the first half to help set up the epic victory.
It was simply enormous stuff from Vlastuin as a human brick wall in defence to draw huge praise from Dal Santo.
“We must say, some of those have been from kicks as well, which we’re still trying to work through the value of,” Dal Santo continued.
“But whatever you think that is, he’s been sensational across that half back line and even deep – controlling and stopping a lot of goals and dominance Gold Coast had.”
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