<p>At the end of Round 20, they sit inside the top eight with a 12-6 record and are poised to play finals for the first time ever.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s still not confirmed, and a lot can still happen in the final three weeks (and in the Suns' case, four games) remaining in the home-and-away season with the shuffle of positions on, but a win here would go a long way toward securing it.&nbsp;</p> <p>If it happens, they proved last week that they are more than ready for it, setting aside a tough first half and their performance against the Crows the prior week to dominate their crosstown rivals in a way never seen before. It was exciting to watch them finally put the Lions in their place and deliver a beating of their own, just like they have done to the Suns for years.&nbsp;</p> <p>They now have a chance, as the Tigers come to the Gold Coast, to build on last week's effort and try to secure the win against a young, fighting side who can’t wait for the season to end.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers gave a good account of themselves against the Pies. Undermanned, they were never really likely to win but fought hard enough to stay with Collingwood for over a half before being vastly outplayed in the third quarter.&nbsp;</p> <p>A decent effort, especially considering midfield star Tim Taranto was a late withdrawal minutes before the game. The Tigers hope he’ll be fit to travel north this week, but he must pass a fitness test.&nbsp;</p> <p>Medium forward Seth Campbell is also likely to be the only other change after passing concussion protocols.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the home team, the Suns could receive a big boost if Touk Miller recovers from his hamstring injury — he just needs to pass a fitness test. Youngster Will Graham also has a chance to return after spending 12 weeks on the sidelines, though he’s likely to play in the VFL first. Young key forward Jed Walter scored two goals in the VFL and could be recalled if Damien Hardwick decides to go with three key talls in favorable conditions.</p> <p>Of course, the Tigers did beat the Suns earlier this year at Marvel Stadium... the second win that many experts didn’t expect for the Tigers. But the Suns have enjoyed playing the Tigers, especially north of the Victorian border, where memorable and popcorn-worthy finishes between these teams have occurred often.&nbsp;</p> <p>Let’s hope we get one here again.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Suns vs Tigers prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Richmond Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p><strong>B: </strong>Bodhi Uwland, Sam Collins, Wil Powell</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Joel Jeffrey, Mac Andrew, John Noble</p> <p><strong>C: </strong>Lachie Weller, Touk Miller, Brayden Fiorini</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>Ben Ainsworth, Ethan Read, Bailey Humphrey</p> <p><strong>F: </strong>Ben Long, Ben King, Jy Farrar</p> <p><strong>Foll: </strong>Jarrod Witts, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson</p> <p><strong>Int: </strong>Alex Davies, Connor Budarick, Oscar Adams, Nick Holman, Leo Lombard</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Richmond Predicted Team List</h3> <p><strong>B: </strong>Nick Valstuin, Ben Miller, Nathan Broad</p> <p><strong>HB: </strong>Sam Banks, Tylar Young, Jayden Short</p> <p><strong>C: </strong>James Trezise, Dion Prestia, Kamdyn McIntosh</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>Steely Green, Jonty Faull, Taj Hotton</p> <p><strong>F: </strong>Tom Sims, Noah Balta, Rhyan Mansell</p> <p><strong>Foll: </strong>Toby Nankervis, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto</p> <p><strong>Int: </strong>Tom Brown, Tyler Sonsie, Luke Trainor, Jack Ross, Maurice Rioli Jr</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Richmond Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Despite the result going against them earlier this year, the Suns hold sway on the recent head-to-head, saluting in four of the past five matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Suns' overall profile has come back to the pack a bit as they have faced the equivalent of the ‘nervous 90s’ in trying to convert their best home-and-away season ever into a maiden finals appearance. But, relative to the Tigers, the profiles are chalk and cheese.</p> <p>A lot depends on the fitness and availability of Tim Taranto. If he’s right to go, they at least have a chance of matching it with the likes of Anderson, Rowell, and possibly Miller now, too.</p> <p>We’re tipping Noah Balta to play forward again alongside the youngsters Faull and Sims while Lynch serves his final week of suspension.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>We expect the Suns to be too strong here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-richmond-9433213">Suns&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>We remain impartial here at ‘The Huddle’, but we’re not so secretly barracking for the Suns to make finals because we want to see what Bailey Humphrey plays like in them.</p> <p>Three goals last week in the Q-Clash, he’s putting together a bloody good early career catalogue of games. We’re backing him for the first one in this one.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-richmond-9433213">Bailey Humphrey</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Can you be totally mad at your best mate if he ends up costing you a Brownlow Medal? Because that’s what Matt Rowell is on track to do to his bestie Noah Anderson at the moment.</p> <p>A best on ground display in the Q-Clash last week, he’s in some rare form at the moment. He’s been a magnet to the Sherrin over the past three weeks, topping 30 disposals in each. We’re backing him again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-richmond-9433213">Matt Rowell 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs Richmond Tigers Match Details</h2> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, August 2, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 4:10pm - AEST</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>People’s First Stadium, Gold Coast</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>