A 21-6 lead at half time looked potentially a game-breaker but former St Kilda star Ali Drennan began pushing forward and winning key possessions with her soccer out of the centre-circle rolling forward and ending up with Levi, who picked it up cleanly and kicked her second goal to open the third term.

Kate Surman kicked an opportunistic goal soon after, snapping on her right foot and putting it through making it 22-19.

The Suns were right in the match but Rio Olympic basketballer turned Tigers recruit Tessa Lavey used her speed and kicking skills to put Christina Bernardi into an open goal with her kick from 40 metres rolling through for a major.

The Tigers led by 10 points to begin the last term but Rising Star favourite McKenzie marked and kicked truly to extend that margin with 12 minutes to play.

Brennan added a third goal to push her side clear and begin celebrations.

Conti back with aplomb

Tigers star Conti returned from a week out and was her regular classy self, tirelessly winning possessions throughout the match.

As skilful as Conti was, she didn’t have things all her way as she was chased down and caught holding the ball in the third term by Tori Groves-Little.

Conti had 25 disposals and seven tackles

Lavey leaps forward

Olympic basketballer-turned-footballer Lavey continues to come along in leaps and bounds for the Tigers despite having played just five games.

Lavey (13 disposals) was a constant threat to run clear on Friday night and her influence grew over the game.

Lavey’s highlight came at a crucial moment in the third term with the Suns just three points down. She took the ball down the wing and kicked into the forward line where she found Bernardi for arguably the most import goal of the match.

Whether Lavey ends up going to Tokyo with the Australian Opals remains up the air as there are plenty of contenders for the point-guard roles but she is fast becoming a player to watch for the Tigers.

RICHMOND
1.0 3.3 4.5 6.5 (41)
GOLD COAST
1.0 1.0 3.1 4.2 (26)

GOALS – Richmond: Brennan 3, Wakefield, Bernardi, McKenzie. Gold Coast: Levi 2, Surman, Virgo.
BEST – Richmond: Brennan, Conti, McKenzie, Hosking, Dempsey. Gold Coast: Drennan, Howarth, Levi, Ahrens, Surman.
VENUE – Metricon Stadium.

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