Emotion-charged Suns out to extend Darwin hot streak
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
39 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Pride eyes Big Dance ticket after Headley Grange lands stakes win
Collett earlier won on Jason Coyle-trained Lulumon and Kerry Parker's Callistemon. It's A Knockout up for challenge The Ciaron Maher stable will target the listed Winter Challenge (1500m) with It's A Knockout after the four-year-old mare blitzed her rivals by four lengths off a freshen-up at Randwick. The stakes-placed daughter of Dundeel ($6) raced forward of midfield under apprentice Braith Nock in the 1400m benchmark 78 before idling to the front at the 200m and racing clear. Maher assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the win was a boost for Steve Freeman, who owns a 70 per cent stake in the horse and has been hit hard recently by floods. Gerard-Dubord said the Winter Challenge, held on July 19 at Rosehill, looked a suitable target given It's A Knockout's liking for a gap between runs. 'She's got some black-type already, but she's not a stakes winner yet, so it's probably the right race,' Gerard-Dubord said. Fresh approach brings breakthrough The Chris Waller camp will look to keep Quantum Cat fresh and happy for his next assignment after he ended his Australian drought as part of a double for the premier Sydney stable at Randwick. Premierships leader Waller went to 170 winners in NSW and 132 in Sydney for the season with victories from Quantum Cat and Rotagilla. It was import Quantum Cat's ($2.80) first win in 13 Australian starts, while three-year-old Rotagilla made it a third career victory. Zac Lloyd gave five-year-old Quantum Cat, coming off a four-week freshen up, an ideal run behind the leaders in the 1800m benchmark 88 before he took over at the 250m mark en route to a three-quarter length win over fast-finishing Hollywood Hero. 'He's just a hard horse to catch,' Waller assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. 'His work always seems to be decent at home, but I think the key is to try and help him be fresh and make sure he's enjoying his work, and that seemed to work today.' Duckworth said Quantum Cat was a stable favourite because of his unusual, white-spot markings he developed as a younger horse when a bout of ringworm left scars and led to his hair changing colour. Earlier, Tim Clark-ridden Rotagilla overcame a three-wide run to win the 1600m benchmark 72 by the same margin. She's Unusual building to black type Co-trainer Tom Charlton wanted to see She's Unusual repeat her winning performance before looking to black-type level after she led and kicked clear for a dominant 1800m win at Randwick on Saturday. The five-year-old ($5.50), third up off two placings, won for the first time in 11 months, easily putting a space on her rivals in the benchmark 78 for fillies and mares for a one and three-quarter lengths victory under Tommy Berry. Charlton, who trains with John O'Shea, said She's Unusual had been hit with minor setbacks through previous preparations. 'If she can get up to that benchmark 88 grade, then she might be able to compete at that black-type level at a mile and a quarter, but I want to see her do it again,' Charlton said. 'I feel like we haven't had a proper crack with her yet. 'She was getting into her preparation and she had a little setback last time, and now off that hopefully we can build forward and get more racing into her.' Parker mare scores deserved win Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker was hoping for another Midway Handicap run with Callistemon after the four-year-old mare cruised to an arrogant win at Randwick on Saturday. Callistemon ($3.30) stalked the leaders in the benchmark 72 1600m Midway before powering to a one-length win over pacesetter Forecaster. It was her fourth attempt at Midway grade and followed two placings at the level at Randwick this preparation. 'When she landed where she did and just got left alone, it was just like watching a piece of trackwork really,' Parker said. 'She was due one of these, she's been racing really well. Hopefully the handicapper isn't too bad to her and we can get another Midway with her.' Parker, meanwhile, said the promising Flying Bandit was spelling in Queensland before a spring campaign aimed at the Metropolitan. Calico Miss on rapid rise after setback Patience paid off for Armidale trainer Stirling Osland when filly Calico Miss made the most of a rails run to break through at Highway Handicap level at just her fourth start at Randwick on Saturday. The three-year-old had almost a year off between her first two trials after suffering shin soreness, but she has since had wins at Quirindi and Scone, either side of a second at Inverell. Loading From gate one, Mikayla Weir gave Calico Miss ($4.40) a perfect run on the fence behind the leaders in the 1200m class 3 before she was strong late to defeat favourite Exit Fee by a half-length. Weir, who has ridden the filly at every trial and start, said Calico Miss had plenty of ability and more to come. 'She had a bit of a setback as a young horse, and that's why there's a long time between her trials and when she first kicked off, but I think she will keep progressing,' said Weir, who scored her first city win of the season.
The Age
44 minutes ago
- The Age
Pride eyes Big Dance ticket after Headley Grange lands stakes win
Collett earlier won on Jason Coyle-trained Lulumon and Kerry Parker's Callistemon. It's A Knockout up for challenge The Ciaron Maher stable will target the listed Winter Challenge (1500m) with It's A Knockout after the four-year-old mare blitzed her rivals by four lengths off a freshen-up at Randwick. The stakes-placed daughter of Dundeel ($6) raced forward of midfield under apprentice Braith Nock in the 1400m benchmark 78 before idling to the front at the 200m and racing clear. Maher assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the win was a boost for Steve Freeman, who owns a 70 per cent stake in the horse and has been hit hard recently by floods. Gerard-Dubord said the Winter Challenge, held on July 19 at Rosehill, looked a suitable target given It's A Knockout's liking for a gap between runs. 'She's got some black-type already, but she's not a stakes winner yet, so it's probably the right race,' Gerard-Dubord said. Fresh approach brings breakthrough The Chris Waller camp will look to keep Quantum Cat fresh and happy for his next assignment after he ended his Australian drought as part of a double for the premier Sydney stable at Randwick. Premierships leader Waller went to 170 winners in NSW and 132 in Sydney for the season with victories from Quantum Cat and Rotagilla. It was import Quantum Cat's ($2.80) first win in 13 Australian starts, while three-year-old Rotagilla made it a third career victory. Zac Lloyd gave five-year-old Quantum Cat, coming off a four-week freshen up, an ideal run behind the leaders in the 1800m benchmark 88 before he took over at the 250m mark en route to a three-quarter length win over fast-finishing Hollywood Hero. 'He's just a hard horse to catch,' Waller assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. 'His work always seems to be decent at home, but I think the key is to try and help him be fresh and make sure he's enjoying his work, and that seemed to work today.' Duckworth said Quantum Cat was a stable favourite because of his unusual, white-spot markings he developed as a younger horse when a bout of ringworm left scars and led to his hair changing colour. Earlier, Tim Clark-ridden Rotagilla overcame a three-wide run to win the 1600m benchmark 72 by the same margin. She's Unusual building to black type Co-trainer Tom Charlton wanted to see She's Unusual repeat her winning performance before looking to black-type level after she led and kicked clear for a dominant 1800m win at Randwick on Saturday. The five-year-old ($5.50), third up off two placings, won for the first time in 11 months, easily putting a space on her rivals in the benchmark 78 for fillies and mares for a one and three-quarter lengths victory under Tommy Berry. Charlton, who trains with John O'Shea, said She's Unusual had been hit with minor setbacks through previous preparations. 'If she can get up to that benchmark 88 grade, then she might be able to compete at that black-type level at a mile and a quarter, but I want to see her do it again,' Charlton said. 'I feel like we haven't had a proper crack with her yet. 'She was getting into her preparation and she had a little setback last time, and now off that hopefully we can build forward and get more racing into her.' Parker mare scores deserved win Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker was hoping for another Midway Handicap run with Callistemon after the four-year-old mare cruised to an arrogant win at Randwick on Saturday. Callistemon ($3.30) stalked the leaders in the benchmark 72 1600m Midway before powering to a one-length win over pacesetter Forecaster. It was her fourth attempt at Midway grade and followed two placings at the level at Randwick this preparation. 'When she landed where she did and just got left alone, it was just like watching a piece of trackwork really,' Parker said. 'She was due one of these, she's been racing really well. Hopefully the handicapper isn't too bad to her and we can get another Midway with her.' Parker, meanwhile, said the promising Flying Bandit was spelling in Queensland before a spring campaign aimed at the Metropolitan. Calico Miss on rapid rise after setback Patience paid off for Armidale trainer Stirling Osland when filly Calico Miss made the most of a rails run to break through at Highway Handicap level at just her fourth start at Randwick on Saturday. The three-year-old had almost a year off between her first two trials after suffering shin soreness, but she has since had wins at Quirindi and Scone, either side of a second at Inverell. Loading From gate one, Mikayla Weir gave Calico Miss ($4.40) a perfect run on the fence behind the leaders in the 1200m class 3 before she was strong late to defeat favourite Exit Fee by a half-length. Weir, who has ridden the filly at every trial and start, said Calico Miss had plenty of ability and more to come. 'She had a bit of a setback as a young horse, and that's why there's a long time between her trials and when she first kicked off, but I think she will keep progressing,' said Weir, who scored her first city win of the season.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
‘Love ya mate': McGovern's heartfelt tribute to big brother
Mitch McGovern has made a heartfelt tribute to his brother Jeremy after the West Coast star was forced to medically retire from the AFL. The Carlton utility poked fun at himself as he took to social media to celebrate Jeremy's career, which came to an end on Friday as the 33-year-old formally announced he was hanging up the boots after 197 games. 'Proud is an understatement for how I feel about what you've done with your footy journey,' the post read. 'You taught me almost everything I know about footy (sorry dad). 'I'm incredibly honoured to have been able to ride the highs and lows in what the game have given you, and you can walk away with a smile and your head held high. 'Thanks for the combined 5x All-Aus, 1x Premiership and 1x BnF. Love ya mate.' One of the photos Mitch McGovern posted in his social media tribute. Credit: James Elsby / AFL Media A photo of the pair following the Eagles' grand final victory in 2018, in which an emotional Mitch embraces his older brother, accompanied the post. It also featured pictures of the brothers playing against each-other, during the 30-year-old's time at Adelaide, as well as photos from their childhood. Former West Coast captain and 2018 Norm Smith Medallist Luke Shuey also paid tribute to the champion defender, saying 'we were all privileged to be a teammate of Jeremy McGovern.' 'We didn't appreciate it enough throughout the journey but he was the type of player and clubman not everyone gets to play with,' Shuey said. 'He gave as much as he had in the tank, every time... he cared more than anyone... he made footy fun, in the hardest of times. 'He had every single person's back who was in his corner and he did it all with the worst rig and most disgusting pre-season testing results you'll every see. 'One of the greatest to ever do it, how lucky were we?!!' The reigning Eagles club champion was recommended to retire by the AFL's concussion panel after the latest in a series of head knocks he sustained in the Eagles' round eight loss to Melbourne. He said he was 'at peace' with the decision.
