Richmond’s lack of ruthlessness on Sunday was a concern for coach Damien Hardwick as the Tigers prepare for a crucial clash with ladder leader Fremantle next Saturday.

The Tigers led St Kilda by 52 points at the final change at Etihad Stadium, but conceded six unanswered goals in the final term to limp to a 16-point win.

Hardwick said his team had been steamrolled by St Kilda in the final quarter, with the Tigers failing to deliver what the coach had ordered at three-quarter time. 

"We did speak about that ruthlessness to finish off and it was obviously very disappointing … I don't think we scored a goal in that last quarter," he said. 

"Without being disrespectful, we've played against sides we should have beaten and we have beaten.

"Now we're looking forward to challenging a really good side in Fremantle, who are probably a little bit like us and not playing their best footy.

"It's going to be an arm wrestle, we know that and we're looking forward to it."

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With Ty Vickery (suspension) and Ben Griffiths (shoulder) missing against the Saints, Richmond got its goals from unlikely avenues, with young half-forward Ben Lennon and star vice-captain Brett Deledio kicking three each.

Jack Riewoldt was dominant in the air with five contested marks but his kicking was wayward, finishing with 2.4.

"We just couldn't find a goal (in the last quarter)," Hardwick said. 

"There were a couple of one-on-one marking contests we just didn't nail which we probably should have.

"Granted we've got three of our starting forwards out of the game this week, we just didn't have the polish there.

"We had some good bits of play, but defensively and offensively in the last quarter we were nowhere near the level we expect to play at."

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Big man Shaun Hampson led the Tigers in the ruck for the second straight week, with Ivan Maric returning from suspension and playing a secondary role against the Saints.

With Vickery sidelined for next week's clash against the Dockers, Hardwick suggested Hampson could expect another week in the senior side to try and cement the ruck structure.

"I thought both ruckmen at stages looked pretty good," the coach said.

"Shaun gives us great first use and Ivan did a couple of nice things as a ruck-forward. He played a little bit more forward than Shaun did.

"Overall I thought they had pretty consistent performances and they can build on that, both of them."

Star Tiger Dustin Martin will be fit to face Fremantle in round 17 after leaving the ground because of a head knock on Sunday and finishing the game predominantly forward.

Hardwick said Riewoldt had handled the build-up to Sunday's match well, highlighting his maturity with his contribution to 'Maddie's Match', played in honour of his cousin Madeleine.

"From a coaching perspective you're hoping it's not too big a distraction, but there's some things bigger in life," Hardwick said.  

"Jack's not only grown up on-field, he's grown up off-field.

"I thought he handled it incredibly well and he looked a dominant forward out there today.

"The goals didn't quite get to the level we'd like but overall I thought he was a terrific contributor."