Emotion-charged Suns out to extend Darwin hot streak
Shayne Hope |
Daniel Rioli admits it will be difficult for Gold Coast’s local stars to keep their emotions in check when they do battle with the Western Bulldogs in Darwin.
Rioli is one of four Northern Territory products set to line up for the Suns at TIO Stadium on Saturday night, alongside Joel Jeffrey, Ben Long and Malcolm Rosas Jnr.
Former Richmond defender Rioli is the only member of his famous family to have had AFL experience in Darwin, after featuring in the Tigers’ relocated ‘Dreamtime’ clash with Essendon in 2020.
“It’s very hard,” the 28-year-old told reporters on Friday.
“You get so caught up in the emotions and it’s an exciting thing (to play) here in front of your family and friends in the Northern Territory.
“I’m not going to lie, we always look forward to the occasion.
“When you’re playing in front of your home (town), it’s pretty special.
“We’ll probably showcase it on the ground tomorrow night and it will be exciting to watch.”
Gold Coast are hosting successive ‘home’ games in Darwin – against the Bulldogs and Hawthorn – and will take confidence from their strong recent record in the Top End.
The Suns have won all six games played at TIO Stadium over the last three seasons.
“From what I’ve seen from afar, watching Gold Coast play here, just unstoppable,” Rioli said.
“It’s very exciting to know that we probably have an advantage.
“We train in warmer weather than most clubs and we’ve definitely got a lot of confidence going into this game.
“But we’ve got the Doggies, who are a really good team and are in good form now.
“Every game is tough, but our record here is pretty good and we’ll try to continue that.”
Gold Coast beat the Bulldogs in Darwin two years ago but have lost 10 of the last 12 meetings between the sides.
The Dogs have eyes on the midfield battle, where the Suns fell apart in their last-start loss to the Brisbane Lions.
Matt Rowell was restricted to just 16 disposals and Noah Anderson had his impact limited by the reigning premiers.
Conversely, the Bulldogs’ deep engine room is in hot form after destroying Port Adelaide behind outstanding showings from Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards and Matt Kennedy last round.
“Every position over the ground is important but particularly through that midfield,” Dogs on-baller Joel Freijah told AAP.
“They’ve got some big names in there and they’re similar to us, full of run.
“Their midfield is really good in the contest and on the spread as well.
“They’ve got some speed in there too, but we’ll prepare well.”
The Bulldogs have lost All-Australian midfielder Adam Treloar (calf) after just one game back and Jedd Busslinger has been dropped, with Caleb Poulter and Harvey Gallagher called into the side.
Rosas and Brayden Fiorini will play their first senior games of the season and Long returns from a hamstring injury, while Sam Clohesy has been recalled by Gold Coast.
Lachie Weller (hamstring), Connor Budarick (omitted), David Swallow and Ethan Read (both managed) are out.
AAP
