Round 14 finishes up at the MCG as both Richmond and St Kilda do battle in a crucial game for the Tigers. Live scores and commentary kicks off from 4.40pm AEST.
Richmond has a serious chance in the next few weeks to quite possibly sneak into a top four spot with their next three games very winnable.
While for St Kilda, they’ve had another one of those seasons where they’ve played some decent footy without getting much go their way.
The Tigers have won their last three and look to be on their way to their first finals campaign since 2001.
So for them it’s so important to make sure they put away the teams that are a class below.
It;s been a failing of Richmond in the past. But with victories against Adelaide and the Bulldogs, that’s exactly what they’ve been able to do.
And there is no doubt the away win against West Coast in Perth gave this Tigers outfit a fair shot in the arm.
Jack Riewoldt hasn’t quite been the dominant force in this line-up as many believed, with plenty of their goals being shared by the midfield.
However, Jack’s still averaging around three goals a game, and was a massive factor in the side’s win against the Saints earlier in the year – he booted seven.
Bachar Houli played his best game of his career last week with 25 disposals and five inside 50s, while Daniel Jackson has been a solid midfielder this season now that he’s injury free.
St Kilda will need to find a way to get through their opponent’s solid midfield and may need the likes of Jack Steven and Leigh Montagna to continue their ball-hogging ways.
Both players rank in the top 20 of players in disposals, with Steven playing some of his best football in his short career.
Nick Riewoldt will still prove to be a headache for the Richmond defence, with the star forward having a stellar season despite his side being on the slide.
Where they do seem to get let down is two areas – in defence and with their small forwards.
There is still plenty of development needed in the defenders with the likes of Jimmy Webster, Nathan Wright and Dylan Roberton.
Of their back six, James Gwilt and Sean Dempster are the most qualified to stop an onslaught from Jack Riewoldt, but will need their best performances to keep him quiet.
And St Kilda’s small forwards have been somewhat indifferent.
Showing glimpses of brilliance in the pre-season, they’ve not really found the goal line enough when they’ve been chocked-up.
Tonight sees just Terry Milera as the small forward, despite being named on the wing.
Richmond should see this as an opportunity to push seriously for higher aspirations. A top four spot could present itself at some point in the next couple of weeks. So winning today is a non-negotiable.
hog
Guest
Good win by the Tigers, just looked at the draw in the coming weeks gonna be hard to break into the top four. Could be playing Fremantle for 5th place, big game coming up at Pattersons in a few weeks. Problem for Richmond is maybe finishing 5th you don't want to run the risk of potentially playing Carlton or Collingwood in Melbourne in a knockout final.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Richmond 17.17 (119) def. St Kilda 8.7 (55) Quarter by Quarter Richmond 4.4 10.9 15.13 17.17 (119) St Kilda 3.2 4.4 7.5 8.7 (55) Goalscorers RICH (10) – Jack Riewoldt 3, Daniel Jackson 3, Shaun Grigg 2, Brett Deledio 2, Nathan Foley 2, Brandon Ellis 1, Jake King 1, Aaron Edwards 1, Ty Vickery 1, Reece Conca 1 STK (7) – Trent Dennis-Lane 2, Jack Steven 1, Leigh Montagna 1, Clinton Jones 1, Nick Dal Santo 1, Brodie Murdoch 1, Nick Riewoldt 1 Team Stats Disposals: RICH 367-326; Disposal Efficiency: STK 69%-68%; Kicking Efficiency: STK 64%-60%; Contested Possessions: RICH 143-120; Uncontested Possessions: RICH 217-204; Marks: RICH 104-91; Marks Inside 50: RICH 22-9; Clearances: RICH 40-33; Tackles: STK 58-48; Inside 50’s: RICH 70-31; Hitouts: RICH 48-36 Player Stats David Armitage (STK) 25 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 5 clearances, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50’s Nick Dal Santo (STK) 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal Clinton Jones (STK) 24 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50’s, 1 goal Trent Cotchin (RICH) 24 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Brett Deledio (RICH) 24 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50’s, 2 goals
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Richmond 17.17 (119) def. St Kilda 8.7 (55) There's the final siren. A very solid win again by the Tigers. Their faithful have plenty to cheer about tonight. They help to cement their credentials as a top eight side... and maybe, just maybe... they could push those inside the top four. The Tigers win by 64 points
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:10 left | RICH 17.17 (119) | STK 8.7 (55) Maybe one last chance for the Tigers. Houli, to Conca... got his kick smothered by Clinton Jones... forces a ball up. A bit happening off the ball between Dustin Martin and Jarryn Geary... the ump sees a jumper-punch that went a little high! That's a stupid thing to be doing with 60 seconds left in a winning team!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:09 left | RICH 17.17 (119) | STK 8.7 (55) Matt White with a mark at half forward... then runs to about 45m. Kicks long to the goal line... touched on the line... and paid a push against Riewoldt on Gwilt. No score, Saints ball. Kicked away, but only as far as Daniel Jackson. 52m out... laods up.... but misses to the left.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:14 left | RICH 17.16 (118) | STK 8.7 (55) Deledio kicks to the hot-spot... Riewoldt has to beat 2 or 3... can't get it. St Kilda repel through McEvoy. Jack Steven and Leigh Montagna combine to find Dennis-Lane at CHF... then a short pass back to Trent Dennis-Lane. He was lively early but has found it tough in the second half. Kicks from 40m out - behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:00 left | RICH 17.16 (118) | STK 8.6 (54) Top work from Ty Vickery to chase down Leigh Montagna. Should have set up a scoring chance for the Tigers... but it was turned over. The Tigers get it back though at half back. Houli finds Newman... then delivers to Dustin Martin on the 50m arc. Bad kick though to Riewoldt... far too short as he led to the open spot... ball up.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:08 left | RICH 17.16 (118) | STK 8.6 (54) Jack really should have 6 or 7 goals tonight. Instead it's 3.5 on the board. Now Clinton Jones down the other end scores a behind for St Kilda
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:52 left | RICH 17.16 (118) | STK 8.5 (53) Brilliant kick from Brett Deledio to find Jack Riewoldt! Got a good 2m ahead of his opponent... but the kick was something special! CAN JACK CONVERT?!?! He's been a little skewiff this quarter... Jack ... swung late... behind!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:58 left | RICH 17.15 (117) | STK 8.5 (53) Terry Milera's dog of a day continues. Gives away a 50m penalty! Now Shane Edwards at centre half forward passes to Nathan Foley inside 50. Kicks from 40m out - GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:35 left | RICH 16.15 (111) | STK 8.5 (53) Attendance at the MCG today - 52,184. Big crowd for a Sunday Twilight. Put the Tigers on anytime, anywhere, and they will come!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:57 left | RICH 16.15 (111) | STK 8.5 (53) Trent Dennis-Lane tries to find a team mate inside 50 - but only Tigers defenders back there... Alex Rance with the mark. Then turned over to McEvoy... but then HE turns it over to Ellis. Then end to end for the Tigers as it's marked by Brett Deledio 48m out. Kicks long.... GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:44 left | RICH 15.15 (105) | STK 8.5 (53) Free kick to Terry Milera (where's he been all day!?!)... gets it to half forward... Nick Riewoldt's won a free kick for the slightest of touches into his back against Troy Chaplin. Riewoldt kicks from 50m out on the boundary... RIPPING GOAL!!! Never question the brilliance of Nick Riewoldt!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:10 left | RICH 15.15 (105) | STK 7.5 (47) Turned straight over again from the kick out... Dustin Martin with some freedom across the half forward line after a good handball from Matt White... then delivers to Jack Riewoldt again! This time from 35m out - ANOTHER SHANK!! The Tigers have a big chance to send the Saints into the pits of hell. The ball's in the Tigers court here.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:50 left | RICH 15.14 (104) | STK 7.5 (47) Brett Deledio soccers the ball forward at half forward... it's not paid a mark, but it gives the Tigers a chance to set something up. Cotchin centres to the top of the goal square to JAAAAACK! 20m out - SHANKED IT! Ah. Not what anyone was expecting...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 19:22 left | RICH 15.13 (103) | STK 7.5 (47) Dylan Roberton's had a dirty day today, and now looks like he may have done his ankle. Looks in serious pain! Landed on the boot of Daniel Jackson when he went up for a mark.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 19:59 left | RICH 15.13 (103) | STK 7.5 (47) Final quarter gets underway at the MCG. Will the Tigers sink the boot in?
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME | RICH 15.13 (103) | STK 7.5 (47) Quarter by Quarter Richmond 4.4 10.9 15.13 St Kilda 3.2 4.4 7.5 Goalscorers RICH (10) – Jack Riewoldt 3, Daniel Jackson 3, Shaun Grigg 2, Brandon Ellis 1, Jake King 1, Aaron Edwards 1, Ty Vickery 1, Nathan Foley 1, Reece Conca 1, Brett Deledio 1 STK (6) – Trent Dennis-Lane 2, Jack Steven 1, Leigh Montagna 1, Clinton Jones 1, Nick Dal Santo 1, Brodie Murdoch 1 Team Stats Disposals: RICH 296-233; Disposal Efficiency: LEVEL 70%-70%; Kicking Efficiency: STK 66%-61%; Contested Possessions: RICH 115-84; Uncontested Possessions: RICH 174-146; Marks: RICH 77-67; Marks Inside 50: RICH 15-8; Clearances: RICH 33-24; Tackles: STK 44-30; Inside 50’s: RICH 55-22; Hitouts: RICH 34-26 Player Stats Trent Cotchin (RICH) 23 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Nathan Foley (RICH) 21 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 6 marks, 2 inside 50’s, 1 goal Dustin Martin (RICH) 21 disposals, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50’s David Armitage (STK) 20 disposals, 6 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50’s Daniel Jackson (RICH) 19 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 5 one-percenters, 7 inside 50’s, 3 goals, 1 goal assist
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME | RICH 15.13 (103) | STK 7.5 (47) Another solid quarter from the Tigers. They could have really pushed the margin out to 70 or 80 points that quarter. But there we a few sparks from the Saints during that quarter that at least kept their side of the ledger a little brighter. But not by much in all reality. Richmond marching towards their 9th win of the season, leading by 56 points.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME | RICH 15.13 (103) | STK 7.5 (47) Easy transfer from the back line for the Tigers. Aaron Edwards kicks towards Riewoldt... just over the top of him... has a second chance, but wrapped up in the tackle for a ball up. From the stoppage... Jones' kick away touched, back into 50 for the Tigers on the opposite flank by Newman, and finds Shaun Grigg. Kicks from 45m out, 45 degree angle... behind. And there's the siren.