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A decimated Richmond have their AFL premiership defence back on track after storming home to defeat a much-improved St Kilda by 28 points at the MCG.
Led by small forward Jade Gresham (six goals), the struggling Saints delivered their best performance in weeks but were outclassed when the game was on the line as Richmond surged to a valiant 15.15 (105) to 12.5 (77) victory.
Josh Caddy was superb for the Tigers with six goals on Saturday, Alex Rance (eight marks) delivered a backline masterclass and skipper Trent Cotchin (32 disposals, nine clearances) was huge at the coalface.
Richmond have now won a remarkable 14 straight games at the MCG.
The Tigers went down two rotations during the second quarter, with spearhead Jack Riewoldt and defender Bachar Houli unable to play out the game.
Riewoldt failed a concussion test after copping a Jake Carlisle elbow to the head in a clumsy spoiling attempt during the first term.
Carlisle was booed by Tigers fans for the rest of the game and faces a likely suspension when match review officer Michael Christian delivers his findings.
Houli limped down to the Richmond rooms soon after and was ruled out with a suspected groin injury.
Meanwhile, the Tigers were looking uncharacteristically uncertain with their ball use, allowing the Saints to capitalise on turnovers.
St Kilda trailed by 13 points at halftime but would likely have led if not for the wayward goalkicking that has haunted them all season.
Prime culprit Tim Membrey missed everything with his first shot at goal, while Tom Hickey and Paddy McCartin also wasted easy opportunities.
The Saints switched gears in the third term, with Jack Billings, Jack Lonie and Gresham combining for four straight goals to put their side ahead.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick responded by sending Nick Vlastuin forward and the defender proved an unlikely hero, slotting back-to-back majors to wrestle back the lead.
Dustin Martin had been quiet early under a Seb Ross tag but also worked his way into the game, fending off Luke Dunstan and drilling a superb goal from 55m out.
Gresham continued to fight for the Saints, reducing the margin to 10 points at the final break, but the Tigers had all the running late despite being two men down.
Dunstan (shoulder), Brandon White (corked thigh) and Jack Newnes (head knock) spent time on the bench for the Saints but remained in the game.
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