A magnificent performance from Dustin Martin helped keep Richmond's faint finals hopes alive with a 17-point win against Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, with the final scoreboard falling the Tiger's way 17.12 (114) to 15.7 (97).
Martin was dominant up forward in the last quarter, proving too strong in the end for Trent McKenzie. The Tiger set up a Sam Lloyd goal and booted another himself after winning a free kick.
Gold Coast's three-pronged forward line of Tom Lynch, Peter Wright and Sam Day looked dangerous, with Lynch particularly effective.
He finished with four goals and 10 marks in an engaging duel against All Australian defender Alex Rance.
Lynch's ability to take grabs wasn't his only highlight. A free kick against Rance early in the last term for holding the ball saw the SUN put another through the big sticks, leaving his side 15 points up.
Gold Coast led by three goals after Matthew Rosa bagged a goal but, led by Martin, the Tigers fought back in a see-sawing contest.
SUNS coach Rodney Eade said silly mistakes cost his team victory and pointed to Tom Nicholls' hit on Richmond's Trent Cotchin as particularly costly.
"It was just basic errors. We were 15 points up, we gave that free kick away before the bounce which was undisciplined," Eade said.
"Then a poor kick going forward, which was a turnover.
"We handballed too much at certain times. To Richmond's credit, they obviously persevered and played well, but certainly three or four of the goals, minimum, were from our direct basic errors."
Play was halted for a few minutes in the third term when Kade Kolodjashnij was knocked out after Sam Lloyd kneed him in the head when making a legitimate marking attempt.
It didn't affect the SUNS' momentum though, with Ablett bringing the margin back to two points.
Gary Ablett was superb all match and did his finest work at the stoppages, as he racked up 24 disposals and 11 clearances.
It was a rough start to the game for Rodney Eade's men, when Ryan Davis booted the ball into Alex Rance when the SUNS should have had a certain goal.
MEDICAL ROOM
Richmond: Backman David Astbury hobbled off the ground in the last quarter with what appeared to be a left ankle issue, and he was forced down into the rooms. Astbury would later return to the field.
Gold Coast: Kade Kolodjashnij was knocked unconscious in the third quarter after being kneed in the head when Sam Lloyd flew for a mark. Eade said there were also concerns about the state of Kolodjashnij's neck. Sean Lemmens was limping after a marking contest and appeared to hurt his right lower leg but waved trainers away.
RICHMOND 4.2 8.7 9.9 17.12 (114)
GOLD COAST 3.2 6.3 11.7 15.7 (97)
GOALS
Richmond: Edwards 3, Deledio 3, Martin 2, Lloyd 2, Griffiths 2, Vickery, Lambert, Hampson, Cotchin, Riewoldt
Gold Coast: Lynch 4, Wright 2, Davis 2, Sexton, Day, Rosa, Nicholls, May, Harbrow, Ablett
BEST
Richmond: Martin, Rance, Grigg, Edwards, Deledio, Griffiths
Gold Coast: Ablett, Lynch, Rosa, Rischitelli, Nicholls, May
INJURIES
Richmond: Astbury (left ankle)
Gold Coast: Kolodjashnij (concussion)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Deboy, McInerney
Official crowd: 30,448 at the MCG
