Three of the game’s last four goals were scant consolation for the Tiger Army, who endured a low-scoring, nine-point defeat at the hands of St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
Callum Moore’s first AFL goal on his league debut at the 25-minute mark of the last term, and another to Kane Lambert moments later, got the Tigers to their closest deficit since the early stages of the second term as the final siren sounded.
The rest of the match didn’t reach any great heights as a spectacle as the ball movement into the Richmond forward line lacked conviction and space, allowing St Kilda to control the game, rebounding and possessing the ball in their forward half for the majority.
Daniel Rioli (16 possessions, four tackles and six goals) was a shining light for the home side and must be in Rising Star contention this week, while Dustin Martin again tried hard, but didn’t have his usual impact.
Eleven Tigers didn't lay a tackle in the first half in a performance that would have earned them the wrath of the coach at the main break.
They emerged with a renewed purpose after half-time, but it was not enough to deliver four points ahead of a trip to the SCG to face the Sydney Swans in their final game of the season.
Both coaches came good on their promise to turn their teams over in the final two rounds, giving fringe players opportunities to prove themselves.
For Richmond, young tall Callum Moore made his debut and defender Todd Elton played his first game this season and just his second in five years on the Tigers' list.
Moore, the seventh debutant for the Tigers in 2016, was starved of opportunities and finished with three marks and one goal.
Elton, meanwhile, kicked the opening goal of the match and had a mixed day, taking a courageous mark in attack and finishing with 10 possessions.
The first half was a nightmare for the Tigers, as the Saints went into attack 28 times to 12 to take a 21-point lead – which flattered the Tigers – into the main break.
The slow, cautious approach of the first half was flipped on its head in the third quarter, however, as midfielders Martin (31 possessions and seven inside 50s) and Trent Cotchin (28 and four clearances) and young forward Daniel Rioli (16 and two goals) drove a fightback.
Still, the Tigers couldn't capitalise kicking 1.4 from 15 inside 50s, leaving them with too much work to do in the final term.
RICHMOND 2.1 2.5 3.9 6.10 (46)
ST KILDA 3.5 5.8 5.10 7.13 (55)
GOALS
Richmond: Rioli 2, Elton, Riewoldt, Moore, Lambert
St Kilda: McCartin 2, Membrey 2, Gresham, Riewoldt, Billings
BEST
Richmond: Martin, Rance, Vlastuin, Rioli, Lambert
St Kilda: Ross, Montagna, Newnes, Steven, Acres, Riewoldt
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
St Kilda: McCartin (broken collarbone)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Curtis Deboy, Shaun Ryan
Official crowd: 35,255 at the MCG
Ian Stewart Medal voting:
9 votes - S. Ross (St Kilda)
6 votes - L. Montagna (St Kilda)
2 votes - D. Martin (Richmond)
1 vote - D. Roberton (St Kilda)
