RICHMOND 17.17 (119) def ST KILDA 8.7 (55)
RICHMOND has continued its ascension to develop into one of the league’s best teams with a 64-point trouncing of St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The win is the fourth straight for the Tigers as the team that has famously missed the finals for 12 years tightens its hold on sixth spot on the ladder and is now a full three games clear of the dreaded ninth spot.
As they have one more than one occasion this year, the Saints came out firing kicking the first two goals and keeping the game close into the second quarter before a Tigers six-goal scoring burst changed the complexion of the game and ultimately decided the outcome. Indeed, by halftime the Tigers score was more than what the Saints were able to manage by the end of the game.
The difference with the Tigers this year has been the development of its players where they are now at the stage of being able to overcome earky set backs and develop a formula for winning with consistency.
“Credit goes to the players on the field. They certainly knew what was happening and they had a couple of conversations on the bench where that came up and were able to make some adjustments to get that right,” said Richmond coach Damien Hardwick in his post-match press conference.
“In the quality sides, the players make a lot of the changes on the field and can read the cues relatively quickly. And that’s what we’re getting right now.
“The more you put them through those situations, the more times they experience it, the better you’re going to get at making quick judgment calls.”
Richmond’s midfield remains the strength of the team with Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Nathan Foley and Daniel Jackson all contributing to the win and developing into an elite unit.
For St Kilda the loss highlighted the club’s inability to match up well against Richmond’s tall forwards and Saints coach Scott Watters it puts the pressure right back on his club to get a key defender in the upcoming off-season.
“It was well documented we went after some players last year,” said Watters.
“We ultimately didn’t get what we want, but we can’t be a club now that just sits around, hoping that a key defender turns up.
“We need to be very aggressive about making sure we fill that gap.
“We have a terrific recruiting staff who have brought some great players into the club over the last 18 months.
“They’re pretty clear on where our priorities are. Our recruiting staff have got some work to do at the end of the year to make sure we have some key backs on our list.”
Richmond will face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium next Saturday while the Saints will fly to Perth to play Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
Here are the highlights from last night’s match:
RICHMOND 4.4 10.9 15.13 17.17 (119)
ST KILDA 3.2 4.4 7.5 8.7 (55)
GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Jackson 3, Grigg 2, Foley 2, Deledio 2, Ellis, King, A. Edwards, Vickery, Conca
St Kilda: Dennis-Lane 2, Steven, Montagna, Jones, Murdoch, Dal Santo, Riewoldt
BEST
Richmond: Foley, Vickery, Cotchin, A. Edwards, Jackson, Conca
St Kilda: Dennis-Lane, Armitage, Ray, Steven, Jones
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
St Kilda: Roberton (ankle), Dempster (foot)
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Jake King subbed out for Matt White in the third quarter
St Kilda: Seb Ross subbed out for Sam Dunell in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Wenn, Foot
Official crowd: 52,184 at the MCG