Review Round 21 vs Richmond @ People First Stadium - Sat 2 August 4:10pm

[Brenton87]

I still can’t bring myself to even say fi…

Im the same, almost there mate haha

 

[KaySwizzle]

Noticed King has been playing up higher too and not just sticking to the goal square

I think it just comes from our setup. They’ve obviously done a huge review after Adelaide and dropping Walter.

Things I noticed:
— Humphrey is a bit deeper and can lead to a pocket or lead back into the square, since he is a great mark. He’s had a lot of shots the last two weeks.
— Farrar and Long leading or creating pressure is working great. Long is back to his best with Farrar there.
— King and Read were properly spaced out.


It meant the likes of Touk and Fiorini were hitting up players a lot easier.

Obviously some of that is due to Richmond’s inexperience. Lions also had some defensive outs. But it should hold up against some better units and it allows us to trial it as we head towards the end of the year.

 

[SandyToes]

Just as an aside
What a bloody awful time of day to play a game of footy on the GC
Not quite afternoon
Not quite night
Freezing cold
Playing a bottom team after a Q Clash smash
Putting 100+ points on the board in that scenario shouldn’t be sneezed at

 

[SandyToes]

I think it just comes from our setup. They’ve obviously done a huge review after Adelaide and dropping Walter.

Things I noticed:
— Humphrey is a bit deeper and can lead to a pocket or lead back into the square, since he is a great mark. He’s had a lot of shots the last two weeks.
— Farrar and Long leading or creating pressure is working great. Long is back to his best with Farrar there.
— King and Read were properly spaced out.


It meant the likes of Touk and Fiorini were hitting up players a lot easier.

Obviously some of that is due to Richmond’s inexperience. Lions also had some defensive outs. But it should hold up against some better units and it allows us to trial it as we head towards the end of the year.

Jed is what he is
A man child who gives everything but maybe doesn’t have super footy smarts
I have a slow burn Tom Hawkins vibe for him
I never thought Tomahawk would end up being the player he was
I’ll give him time
Read pardon the pun reads the game and positions himself well
But in the end Jed may be better
Will be an interesting evolution

 

[SandyToes]

I think it just comes from our setup. They’ve obviously done a huge review after Adelaide and dropping Walter.

Things I noticed:
— Humphrey is a bit deeper and can lead to a pocket or lead back into the square, since he is a great mark. He’s had a lot of shots the last two weeks.
— Farrar and Long leading or creating pressure is working great. Long is back to his best with Farrar there.
— King and Read were properly spaced out.


It meant the likes of Touk and Fiorini were hitting up players a lot easier.

Obviously some of that is due to Richmond’s inexperience. Lions also had some defensive outs. But it should hold up against some better units and it allows us to trial it as we head towards the end of the year.

Richmond has only one option at the moment
Be the embodiment of Yze
Not super gifted but squeezed everything out of the bottle and committed 100% all the time
It’s one of those asymmetrical footy
progressions
You play Richmond and they will drag you down with their intensityscragging tackling but as they say- stick to processes and at some point it all falls apart for the lesser team
You play a top team who think they are the attacking team and at times you’re going to see a much more open forward line as half backs get forward with the potential to score on quick turnover like we saw last week
No doubt our forward line now looks more suited to taking advantage of the gameplan
(OMG- did I just say GAMEPLAN???- after 15 freaking years an actual freakin’ gameplan)

 

[SandyToes]

If Gold Coast get a Top 4 finish, would they prefer an away final in QLD or to travel away at the MCG/Adelaide Oval?


I feel like a path to the prelim final/grand final is best served by playing an away final against Brisbane. And based on the last showing, Suns should have no fear of Brisbane.

No one wants to play Adelaide at AO

 

[KaySwizzle]

No one wants to play Adelaide at AO

If it means we get a second bite at the cherry at home, even if we lose, it’s fine.

Because I don’t think many teams want to play us at home either. So we need to win games and ensure we make it to one home final to give us the best chance.

 

[davidgoes4wce]

No one wants to play Adelaide at AO

I saw Adelaide on Friday night.

Brisbane and Hawthorn have pushed them closely at Adelaide Oval. They are tough to beat but I wouldn't say they are 'unbeatable'.

Gold Coast put in a poor performance against the Crows in Adelaide. I sense they will be a bit better than their last outing against them if they have to go there again.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I do wonder if it’s good finals prep to be playing lots of low intensity matches in the run in.

 

[Brenton87]

I do wonder if it’s good finals prep to be playing lots of low intensity matches in the run in.

Pumping the reigning premiers by 11 goals is good prep however you look at it

 

[Big Red Machine]

If it means we get a second bite at the cherry at home, even if we lose, it’s fine.

Because I don’t think many teams want to play us at home either. So we need to win games and ensure we make it to one home final to give us the best chance.

I disagree somewhat

Getting pumped at the AO and then being so demoralized that we fumble the second chance at home would be way worse than winning at home in the elim game and losing the following week away interstate.

In 2025 "Gold Coast not only make the finals they win a finals game" is so much better than "Gold Coast make the top 4 then get rolled in straight sets"

 

[CanuckSuns]

Suns pummeled a bad team they were supposed to. Truly shows how much this team belongs in the Finals.

Beat Carleton and Suns are as good as in.

 

[KaySwizzle]

I disagree somewhat

Getting pumped at the AO and then being so demoralized that we fumble the second chance at home would be way worse than winning at home in the elim game and losing the following week away interstate.

In 2025 "Gold Coast not only make the finals they win a finals game" is so much better than "Gold Coast make the top 4 then get rolled in straight sets"

Maybe. I’d always rather have two chances than one. I think every team in the top 9 is good enough in their day, and no team is unbeatable.

If we make finals, fans and players have to also believe we aren’t just making up the numbers.

Adelaide are in the best form.
Collingwood and Brisbane have the runs on the board and plenty of experience. Freo and Hawks have an exciting but inconsistent list after multiple years of drafting and trades. Dogs are very dangerous up forward but their defence is suspect.

And then there is us, the team that has never made it but has shown good signs all year.

Collingwood, Lions, Adelaide and Geelong are the most likely top 4.

But if given two chances or one, I’d prefer the two. We can win away on our day. Or we lose and reload and still play a game at home. If we go out in straight sets, so be it. Gotta be in it to win it and hardly any teams win from outside the 4. Plus two games of finals experience could be huge.

But yeah, gotta win games first. Still very congested ladder and anything can happen if we slip up. Top 4 or missing the 8 will be decided by narrow margins.

 

[davidgoes4wce]

Maybe. I’d always rather have two chances than one. I think every team in the top 9 is good enough in their day, and no team is unbeatable.

If we make finals, fans and players have to also believe we aren’t just making up the numbers.

Adelaide are in the best form.
Collingwood and Brisbane have the runs on the board and plenty of experience. Freo and Hawks have an exciting but inconsistent list after multiple years of drafting and trades. Dogs are very dangerous up forward but their defence is suspect.

And then there is us, the team that has never made it but has shown good signs all year.

Collingwood, Lions, Adelaide and Geelong are the most likely top 4.

But if given two chances or one, I’d prefer the two. We can win away on our day. Or we lose and reload and still play a game at home. If we go out in straight sets, so be it. Gotta be in it to win it and hardly any teams win from outside the 4. Plus two games of finals experience could be huge.

But yeah, gotta win games first. Still very congested ladder and anything can happen if we slip up. Top 4 or missing the 8 will be decided by narrow margins.

The thing that Gold Coast has going for it , in terms of finishing is their percentage is bigger than the teams below them. With an easier run home, they should be able to do boost if need be.

For the Suns to finish top 4, they will need most likely a favour or two from the teams above them to slip up.

The Suns also have the added advantage of playing last in their game over Essendon in the catch up game. I have a sneaky feeling if they are in the Top 4 by then, they may be in a position to manipulate their position to get a matchup against Brisbane.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Pumping the reigning premiers by 11 goals is good prep however you look at it

Yeah, I'm talking more Essendon, Port etc.. who may have put the cue totally in the rack by that stage.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I only caught snippets of this game.

Ethan Read this year has really impressed me.

Seems like he has a knack of finding space in the forward 50. Probably a combination of footy smarts and his awesome athletic ability for a big guy. 19 shots for goal over the last 6 games.

Taking ~15 ruck contests a game winning the hitout in ~30% which is respectable for a 19 year old ruckman.

Building into the year really really nicely.
Should be someone that we can actually rely on to contribute this year, not just gain experience for future years.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Also shout out to Bailey Humphrey with 21 goals and 21 goal assists for the season.

4th season that a suns player has recorded 20+ goals and 20+ goal assists

Tom Lynch 2014
Tom Lynch 2016
Ben Ainsworth

12

Ben Ainsworth

Age

27

Ht

178cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

8.1

3star

HB

6.1

4star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

12.8

3star

K

8.3

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.3

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

13.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.4

5star

G

0.6

3star

2022 (club record 25 goal assists.

Surely Humphrey will set a new record this year.

 

[Supersuns]

Also shout out to Bailey Humphrey with 21 goals and 21 goal assists for the season.

4th season that a suns player has recorded 20+ goals and 20+ goal assists

Tom Lynch 2014
Tom Lynch 2016
Ben Ainsworth 2022 (club record 25 goal assists.

Surely Humphrey will set a new record this year.

Ive been a Humpha truther from day 1 and its really good to see how he has evolved this year. Really starting to believe in himself too, just can hurt teams in so many ways. Great mark, good contested work, elite when the ball hits the deck. Few more pre seasons and he will completely tear teams apart.

 

[Brenton87]

Yeah, I'm talking more Essendon, Port etc.. who may have put the cue totally in the rack by that stage.

Ah yeah, that's a fair call

 

[GC2015]

Not sure how many people caught this, but in the fourth quarter the camera cut to Gary Ablett, his wife and kids who were sitting in the stadium watching us smash the Tigers and the kids were wearing our pink jumpers. I heard a cheer start ringing out from our cheer squad and from others in the stadium once they realised it was Gaz. I know it didn't end particularly well, but it was fantastic to see a legend of our club being appreciated by our community.

Well done, Gold Coast

 

[lommy]

Not sure how many people caught this, but in the fourth quarter the camera cut to Gary Ablett, his wife and kids who were sitting in the stadium watching us smash the Tigers and the kids were wearing our pink jumpers. I heard a cheer start ringing out from our cheer squad and from others in the stadium once they realised it was Gaz. I know it didn't end particularly well, but it was fantastic to see a legend of our club being appreciated by our community.

Well done, Gold Coast

They probably paid for him to come and he couldn’t even chuck a scarf on. Meh

 

[Brenton87]

Not sure how many people caught this, but in the fourth quarter the camera cut to Gary Ablett, his wife and kids who were sitting in the stadium watching us smash the Tigers and the kids were wearing our pink jumpers. I heard a cheer start ringing out from our cheer squad and from others in the stadium once they realised it was Gaz. I know it didn't end particularly well, but it was fantastic to see a legend of our club being appreciated by our community.

Well done, Gold Coast

I was pissed off when he left but then you hear about how sick his son was and it all made sense why he wanted to go back home, Suns were lucky to have arguably the goat playing with us in his prime.

 

[Mini GF]

They probably paid for him to come and he couldn’t even chuck a scarf on. Meh

Yeah it’s good about the kids but a token scarf would have been good

 

[robo_1]

Not sure how many people caught this, but in the fourth quarter the camera cut to Gary Ablett, his wife and kids who were sitting in the stadium watching us smash the Tigers and the kids were wearing our pink jumpers. I heard a cheer start ringing out from our cheer squad and from others in the stadium once they realised it was Gaz. I know it didn't end particularly well, but it was fantastic to see a legend of our club being appreciated by our community.

Well done, Gold Coast

His wife had a pic on her Instagram of the 2 kids wearing the pink #9 guernseys and Ben Ainsworth standing in front waiting to run on

 

[thurls64]

I think it just comes from our setup. They’ve obviously done a huge review after Adelaide and dropping Walter.

Things I noticed:
— Humphrey is a bit deeper and can lead to a pocket or lead back into the square, since he is a great mark. He’s had a lot of shots the last two weeks.
— Farrar and Long leading or creating pressure is working great. Long is back to his best with Farrar there.
— King and Read were properly spaced out.


It meant the likes of Touk and Fiorini were hitting up players a lot easier.

Obviously some of that is due to Richmond’s inexperience. Lions also had some defensive outs. But it should hold up against some better units and it allows us to trial it as we head towards the end of the year.

to be fair Richmond don't apply pressure to the extent the top 8 teams do