GUTSY Gold Coast has kept its top four chances alive, clinging on for a four-point win over Richmond at a wet People First Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing by 11 points at half-time and down two players for a good portion of the game, the Suns kicked four third-quarter goals and hung on to win 8.6 (54) to 7.8 (50).
The victory moves Rhyce Shaw’s team to 8-3, with a final round win over Greater Western Sydney required to give themselves a shot at the coveted double chance in November.
Havana Harris continued her ascension as one of the competition’s best young forwards, kicking a career-high four goals, with three in the second half as her team swung momentum dramatically.
Co-captain Niamh McLaughlin was arguably best on ground, with her quick feet, sure hands and good decisions crucial in her 32-disposal performance.
Charlie Rowbottom (32 disposals) was outstanding as the rain poured, while Ava Usher (17, six score involvements, a goal and five tackles) was a constant threat forward of centre.
Gold Coast played most of the game without Dekota Baron, who was ruled out early in the second quarter following a head knock, while Daisy D'Arcy joined her on the sidelines in the third term with concussion.
Being two players down, the Suns led by 20 points early in the fourth quarter, but goals to Maddie Shevlin and Catilin Greiser set up a nailbiting finish.
With the ball camped inside Gold Coast's defensive 50 for most of the last 10 minutes, they repeatedly rushed behinds to hold off the fighting Tigers.
Following a goalless opening term, Gold Coast lifted its intensity early in the second with Harris and Usher kicking the opening two goals.
But the visitors flipped the script with a devastating four-goal burst to take an 11-point advantage to the main break.
Bec Miller banged one home from 40m, Shevlin was smart over the back of a contest, Paige Scott kicked a wonderful individual goal and finally Gabby Seymour threaded a precise set shot.
Richmond transitioned the ball superbly, changing angles and stretching Gold Coast when they won the ball back from any spot on the ground.
Sierra Greaves and Ellie McKenzie (21 disposals apiece) were tireless for the Tigers.
Mystery surrounds Baron's removal from play
Suns Rising Star nominee Dekota Baron was involved in one of the more unusual sequences of 2026 that is sure to require further investigation. After copping an inadvertent hip to the head from Montana McKinnon in a marking contest, Baron stayed on the turf for a minute but was cleared to play on. Minutes later play was stopped after the ARC deemed she needed further testing. After being assessed by Gold Coast doctors, Baron resumed her place on the field. However, it was short-lived, as again the ARC intervened to call an early end to her afternoon. Baron left the field in tears.
Another trip to the finals for Gold Coast
Victory ensures the Suns will play finals for the first time since 2023. While their eyes will be set higher with a possible top four spot up for grabs, the surge from wooden spooners last season to the top eight should not be overlooked. With wins few and far between in the past two years, eight victories from 11 matches is a huge jump this season and comes as both younger players and the more experienced make big contributions.
Up next
Gold Coast travels to Henson Park next Sunday (12.35pm AEDT) to play Greater Western Sydney, needing a victory to give itself a chance of finishing in the top four. Richmond will finish its season with the hardest assignment in the competition, hosting two-time premier North Melbourne at Windy Hill next Saturday afternoon (3.05pm AEDT).
GOLD COAST 0.3 2.4 6.6 8.6 (54)
RICHMOND 0.1 4.3 5.4 7.8 (50)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Harris 4, Usher, Talbot, Quigley, Lappin
Richmond: Shevlin 2, Greiser 2, Seymour, Scott, Miller
BEST
Gold Coast: McLaughlin, Harris, Rowbottom, Usher, Fitzpatrick, Brancatisano
Richmond: Grieves, McKenzie, Dallaway, East, Shevlin, Miller
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Baron (head), D’Arcy (concussion)
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 1954 at People First Stadium
