Dustin Martin stars again as Richmond has too much class for Gold Coast

EVEN without Jack Riewoldt, Richmond had enough star power to put away Gold Coast in a ho-hum affair and there was no more influential player than Dustin Martin.

Jason Castagna celebrates a goal with teammates Kamdyn McIntosh and Corey Ellis. Picture: AAP

IT was a case of “No Jack Riewoldt, no problem” for Richmond as its remaining superstars played well enough for long enough to hold off an undermanned Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.

Riewoldt (eye) missed the ho-hum affair but Tigers’ A-graders Dustin Martin, Alex Rance and Trent Cotchin displayed their pedigree to lift Richmond to a 33-point win for their 12th victory of 2017.

Martin’s influence grew the longer the game went and finished with 34 touches, seven clearances and a goal.

Rance gave Suns co-captain and key forward Tom Lynch a bath for most of the night while Cotchin accumulated 25 disposals and a goal.

Adam Saad tries to lay a tackle on Dustin Martin. Picture: AAP

To Lynch’s credit, he finished with three goals after limited and diabolic service from his midfield.

Throw in a dazzling cameo from Daniel Rioli (three goals and three scoring assists) and the Tigers were just too classy for the ravaged home side with a rampant second quarter setting up the win.

The already injury-hit Suns finished the game with just one fit man on the bench after Gary Ablett was a late withdrawal with hamstring soreness.

Alex Sexton (concussion) and Callum Ah Chee (shoulder) left the game in the second term while Ben Ainsworth (knee) was out of action midway through the third quarter, robbing the Suns of precious run.

Callum Ah Chee in pain after hurting his shoulder. Picture: AAP

Suns coach Rodney Eade said his side battled manfully given the extent of the casualty ward which also included Jarrod Witts (foot) and Brayden Fiorini (hamstring) who played out the final quarter.

“It was extremely brave. I was really proud of the effort,’’ he said.

“We kept ourselves in the game’’.

He said co-captain Steve May was almost “certain” to make the trip west next weekend for the clash with Fremantle while he was “pretty confident’’ that Ablett would also be available.

Aaron Hall had 40 disposals but Pearce Hanley (30 touches) was the Gold Coast’s best.

The Suns remarkably closed to just 12 points from Richmond after registering the first two goals of the third quarter but the Tigers rediscovered their mojo and kicked away to a 25-point buffer by the last change.

Richmond led by 23 points at halftime and the margin flattered the Suns.

Daniel Rioli kicked three goals in the first quarter. Picture: AAP

The Tigers tore the home side to shreds in the second term booting five goals to one but they should have kicked more with Jason Castagna missing three shots in the quarter.

Resting ruckman Toby Nankervis had no such dramas in front of the goals, kicking three majors for the visitors who ramped up the defensive pressure and also got on top in the clearances (12-4 for the quarter) and contested possessions (41-31).

Richmond kicked two goals in the first two minutes of the second term to set the tone as the Gold Coast’s slender four-point buffer was blown out of the water.

The Tigers still had some forgettable moments as they played to the level of their opposition but had too much class when it counted.

Rioli was all class in the opening quarter for Richmond, kicking three silky goals to keep the Tigers in the hunt after the Suns put three of the first four goals of the match on the board.

Richmond coach Damein Hardwick said the Tigers failed to make the most of the opportunities and “butchered’’ the ball at times to keep the Suns in the hunt.

“They gave us some trouble. They are a formidable side up here,’’ he said.

“They challenged us...we weren’t quite at our best today...our best footy is still head of us.’’