After an impressive six weeks, the Gold Coast SUNS were brought crashing back to earth in an emphatic manner on Sunday afternoon. Richmond gradually got out of first gear as the game wore on, before putting the foot on the accelerator after the main break to pile on the pain and give their percentage a boost.
Wins have been hard to come by this season, and with good reason too given the dire injury toll. But Sunday’s game, particularly after the main break, was disappointing in terms of effort. Admittedly, injuries to key players were unhelpful, but a three-goal half-time margin ending in an 83-point loss was disastrous.
Tom Lynch continues to deliver. It doesn’t come as any surprise anyone inside Metricon Stadium, given the fact he has been delivering for most of the year. But his last month has been as good as any key forwards in the game.
Inaccuracy in front of goal hurt him as 3.3 could – and should – have been five goals for the second consecutive week. But his work rate was phenomenal. He did his work at both ends, blowing Troy Chaplin up and taking 11 marks, five of which were taken inside forward 50.
At the other end of the ground, Steven May was up to his old tricks again. He had the big role of quelling dual Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt and that’s exactly what he did. In a 14-goal thumping, and in a game where the inside 50 discrepancy was vast (+22), May’s ability to limit Riewoldt’s influence on the game was exceptional.
Gold Coast’s premier defender finished with 18 possessions and eight rebound 50s, but his ability to halve or win contests with Riewoldt and hold him to two goals in a whitewash was outstanding. He could do little to stop the Tiger star’s two majors, but despite this reality this wouldn’t sit nicely with May.
For the fourth consecutive week, Aaron Hall surprised in the midfield with a strong effort against quality opposition. In a game where the Tigers engine room dictated terms all day, Hall was the SUNS best onballer, gathering 29 possessions, seven clearances and seven inside 50s.
The Tasmanian did slow down after the main break, but his running goal from a centre stoppage in the opening term was nothing short of sensational. What a month Hall has had in the middle of the ground.
Kade Kolodjashnij (27 disposals, five marks, four rebound 50s, four inside 50s), Michael Rischitelli (21 disposals, six clearances, seven tackles) and Jesse Lonergan (24 disposals, seven clearances, four inside 50s) also battled hard for the SUNS.
Who was your best player in round 20?
After 19 rounds, Tom Lynch has continued his surge to enter the podium with 165 votes in the Fans Player of the Year award, Adam Saad is still in second spot on 165 votes and Michael Rischitelli continues to lead the way on 241 votes.
