Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda Saints: Comeback win may have saved Alan Richardson's job

Tom Naghten

•
Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda Saints: Comeback win may have saved Alan Richardson's job image

It wasn't a blockbuster by any means but it was a game between two clubs at the crossroads and it took a stunning comeback to get a much-needed win for the Saints.

St Kilda hadn't won since round one while the Suns were coming off an insipid 108-point loss.

Saints coach Alan Richardson's future in the job has never been more perilous while the very existence of the Gold Coast club was being questioned.

It looked like it might have been Richardson's last game in charge as it was the Suns who responded the better at Metricon Stadium on Saturday evening.

MORE: Goalless first half has Blues fans filthy | Easton Wood and Jack Macrae injuries heap pressure on wounded Dogs

After a tense first quarter, Stuart Dew's side kicked away in the second, taking a 31-point lead into the main break on the back of three goals from captain Tom Lynch.

A groin injury to Jimmy Webster in the first quarter didn't help the Saints' case, keeping him out for the rest of the game.

Bailey Rice was also concussed after a head clash with Jack Martin in the third quarter, leaving the embattled team with just two on the bench.

Richardson must have felt cursed, with some Saints fans seeing enough by half time, calling for the club to part ways with the coach.



 


 

Niether side was able to make inroads in the third term, with the 31-point margin separating them at the final break.

The Suns would be without Jack Bowes after he picked up a quad injury.

Then with seemingly no hope, St Kilda found another gear, kicking the final 12 scores of the match to seal an epic two-point win.

A clutch goal from Tim Membrey courtesy of a 50-metre penalty got them to within a kick, before some Jade Gresham magic with a minute on the clock sealed their first win since the opening day.


After enduring a torrid week with questions over his future, Saturday's win must have been one of the sweetest of Richardson's 101-game tenure at the club.

The mood at Moorabbin is sure to be a lot more positive this week as the club heads into their bye.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.