AFL Round 1 Preview: Gold Coast Suns v Richmond

Alex Rance

TV: Seven Network, Fox Sports

Sportingbet says: Gold Coast $2.45 Richmond $1.55

Why watch?
One of the round's most intriguing matches. The Tiger bandwagon is rolling, and out of the woodwork are coming folks with old woollen jumpers with Michael Roach signatures, and dodgy club jackets not seen since Richo had Samson hair in the mid-1990s. Tigers' fans sense something big. The Suns? Nothing less than a finals appearance in their fourth season will be enough after pleasing improvement last season.

Match notes
- Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric has undergone surgery to remove bone spurs in his ankle
- Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett is expected to overcome a hand burnt while cooking to play
- Richmond have elevated ruckman Orren Stephenson and utility Anthony Miles from the rookie list
- Utility Andrew Boston is out of the Suns' initially-named 22, with forward Timmy Sumner his replacement

Say what
"It's nothing too bad. I wanted to try and kind of keep it quiet, but unfortunately Bluey (Suns coach Guy McKenna) came out and mentioned it in his press conference," Gary Ablett tells Fox Sports about burning the top of his right hand.

Key injuries
Nathan Bock - GC - leg
Gary Ablett - GC - hand. Expected to play.
Daniel Jackson - Rich - groin
Ivan Maric - Rich - ankle

Last 5 games (includes 2013 season)

Gold Coast
L 17 West Coast
W 13 Melbourne
L 17 Port Adelaide
L 46 St Kilda
W 83 GWS

Richmond
W 23 Brisbane
L 10 Carlton
W 121 GWS
W 39 Essendon
L 20 Carlton

Last 5 between clubs
GC-GC-Rich

Fantasy factoid
Much-hyped Gold Coast youngster Jack Martin has struggled for pre-season impact, and that should be noted when picking your round one team. 

Cold hard fact
Richmond have only beaten Gold Coast once in their three meetings, but no longer will play them in Cairns under a match-selling deal as they have in previous seasons.

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