AFL Round 6 Richmond v Gold Coast: All the news, analysis and fallout as Tigers cause Marvel Stadium boilover

They weren’t supposed to win a game in 2025 – but the rebuilding Tigers have done it again, stunning former coach Damien Hardwick and the Suns at Marvel Stadium.

Not content with producing the biggest upset of the season in Round 1 against Carlton, Richmond eclipsed itself on Saturday night when it handed Gold Coast its first loss of the year at Marvel Stadium in a spectacular boilover.

After the Tigers’ lead swelled to 43 points at three-quarter time, the Suns erupted and came charging towards the hosts like a freight train, booting all five goals of the last term to almost pinch the game.

But when Suns captain Noah Anderson’s attempt from 50m out with 1:34 to go to cut the deficit to six points went off line, Gold Coast’s fate was sealed as Richmond snapped its 11-game winless run at Marvel Stadium with a stunning 12.8 (80) to 9.15 (69) victory.

Young Tiger Sam Lalor celebrates a big goal. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

It was a memorable win for Richmond. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

The Suns headed into the game as unbackable favourites on the back of their best start to a season (4-0) and after coach Damien Hardwick urged them to “grow the f--k up” after their shocking loss to North Melbourne last year, it looked like they had finally heeded his advice. However, the bad old Suns reared their heads yet again.

The Tigers averaged just 68 points a game prior to the match, yet they already bettered that mark prior to three-quarter time when they kicked eight of the previous nine goals. And after leaking 114 points on average, Richmond gave up a sub-70 score against the Suns who averaged 122 points in their first four games.

Gold Coast has made bright starts to seasons many times before, and teased the footy world with its potential, only to produce false dawn after false dawn.

The 2025 Suns may yet turn out to be finals contenders, but their loss to the lowly Tigers, who had lost their previous four games by an average of 61 points, showed that they still have a lot of work to do to permanently eradicate their notoriously bad habits that have plagued their 15-year existence.

Seth Campbell boots a big goal against the Suns

RICHMOND PRESSURE RED-HOT

Richmond set the tone at the very start when it smacked Gold Coast in the mouth with the first three goals inside just seven minutes in what was a fiery beginning that featured plenty of niggle and physicality.

Most notably, Suns defender Mac Andrew was targeted by the Tigers, and it worked a treat as he momentarily lost the plot when he flung Seth Campbell to the ground seconds after Jonty Faull kicked a goal. The action led to a bonus shot on goal for Richmond, which Campbell converted to put the hosts up by 17 points.

The Suns couldn’t regain their composure until the final term as the Tigers’ enormous pressure proved too much to handle in the first three quarters.

That fact was best exemplified by Gold Coast’s inside-50 domination (62-42), yet the Suns could only manage nine goals (15 per cent efficiency) compared to Richmond’s 12 (29 per cent).

Nick Vlastuin recorded 15 intercept possessions. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

TIGER BACKS STAND TALL

The Tigers’ defence was tremendous, led by Nick Vlastuin who had 27 disposals (10 contested, 15 intercepts) and 13 marks (four), while Noah Balta, playing his first game of the year since pleading guilty to assault for an incident in December, and Ben Miller kept Ben King, Jed Walter and Ethan Read quiet.

Tim Taranto also played a blinder in the middle, collecting 35 touches (18), six clearances, six tackles and a goal. Touk Miller was the Suns’ best with 33 possessions (14), seven clearances and a major.

Noah Balta had a big influence in his return game. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

RIOLI BENEFITS FROM RIOLI ERROR

Gold Coast defender Daniel Rioli’s horrible kick out of defence early in the third quarter was cut off by Steely Green whose kick to Richmond’s forward pocket went wide of Tom Lynch. However, Lynch cleverly kept the ball in play in the nick of time with the back of his hand, and Maurice Rioli bundled over the much bigger Sam Collins before gathering the loose ball and banging it home from the goal square to put Richmond up by 20 points.

SCOREBOARD

RICHMOND 3.4, 6.5, 12.6, 12.8 (80)

GOLD COAST 2.3, 3.9, 4.11, 9.15 (69)

RONNY LERNER’S BEST

Tigers: Vlastuin, Taranto, Balta, Miller, Broad, Hopper, Short.

Suns: Miller, Anderson, Rowell, Noble, Long, Weller.

GOALS

Tigers: Lynch 2, Campbell 2, Faull, Ross, Dow, Ralphsmith, Rioli, Short, Taranto, Lalor.

Suns: Long 3, W.Graham 2, King, Miller, Flanders, Walter.

UMPIRES Rosebury, Adair, Birch, Strybos

18,423 at Marvel Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

RONNY LERNER’S VOTES

3 Nick Vlastuin (RICH)

2 Tim Taranto (RICH)

1 Touk Miller (GC)

Originally published as AFL Round 6 Richmond v Gold Coast: All the news, analysis and fallout as Tigers cause Marvel Stadium boilover