Richmond meets Collingwood next week at the MCG in what shapes as the biggest and most anticipated game of 2018, and the Tigers had the perfect tune-up on Friday night.
They completely dismantled St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, notching a commanding 54-point win and going another step closer to securing their top-of-the-ladder spot.
All Tiger eyes will turn to the Pies in next Saturday's blockbuster and, on the evidence of the 16.15 (111) to 8.9 (57) win over the Saints, they'll hit it in top shape.
Richmond's fast start – they kicked six goals to one in the first term – all but ended any hope of the Saints springing a surprise to open round 18.
The reigning premiers would have been buoyed by the performance of Dion Prestia, who was close to best afield with three goals and 26 disposals (including four centre clearances) from the midfield.
As always with Richmond it was no solo performance, with spearhead Jack Riewoldt booting four goals, Dustin Martin starting the game brilliantly and finishing with 30 touches and seven inside-50s, while Kane Lambert (23 disposals), Jayden Short (26) and Shane Edwards (19) were also excellent.
Damien Hardwick said his side was more impressive in its two-point loss to Greater Western Sydney last week, but, with just over a month before the finals, he was satisfied with the result.
"It's funny – I thought we played better last week," he said.
"Our first half was pretty scintillating. It was a great half of footy and the game was put to bed.
"Those sorts of games go one of two ways: either it turns into a 100-point win or it peters out to the result we got tonight.
"That was a little bit disappointing but if you had've said to me at the start of the night we’d walk away with a 10-goal victory against a side that’s won three of its last four, I would’ve taken it."
St Kilda was able to stem the bleeding from the first half after the main break, but they had few winners on the night. Seb Ross had 33 disposals through the midfield and Jack Steven (23) was solid, while Jade Gresham kicked two goals from his 24 disposals and was lively at times.
The floodgates opened early. Martin was the beneficiary of a soft free kick and made the most of it in the opening minute.
By the end of the first term Richmond had piled on another five majors to lead by 32 points and with all signs leading towards another comprehensive win.
As they do, the Tigers shared the spoils around, with six individual goalkickers for the term.
The Saints were trying and had just two fewer disposals for the quarter, but they were up against a team that is ferocious and disciplined in its defence and selfless in attack.
Riewoldt kicked two for the second term and set up another when he lobbed the ball at the top of the square for Prestia to rove perfectly and boot his second goal of the quarter, too.
Everything was coming off for the Tigers and their dominance was reflected in the 58-point margin at the main break. The Saints' resistance, which was evident early, had been worn down by a Richmond outfit so well drilled and hungry for success that there was no chance of a second-half turnaround.
The Saints started the third term in better touch, with a brilliant soccer-style volley goal from the pocket by star midfielder Steven lifting spirits.
But it was short-lived, as the Tigers got the game back on their terms with Riewoldt dominant in attack and their midfield guns creating too many chances.
For all of St Kilda's efforts in the third quarter, they caught up only one point as they trailed Richmond by 57 at the last change.
The Saints made up a little more ground in the final quarter as the game remained in a holding pattern, but by then you couldn't blame the Tigers if they had one eye on next week. Everyone else certainly did.
MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: Saints youngster Bailey Rice hurt his shoulder in a marking contest in the opening quarter. His night appeared over as he left the field in pain, but he returned in the second term and played out the game.
Richmond: A clash of heads saw Martin require some treatment – and will leave him with a black eye for the next few days – but it was nothing that caused the Brownlow medallist too much trouble.
NEXT UP
It's a huge game next week at the MCG as Richmond takes on top-four aspirant Collingwood in the traditional Saturday afternoon slot. St Kilda travels to Spotless Stadium to face Greater Western Sydney on Saturday as it limps towards the end of the season.
ST KILDA 1.2 2.3 5.7 8.9 (57)
RICHMOND 6.4 11.7 14.10 16.15 (111)
GOALS
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Gresham 2, Marshall, Armitage, Steven, Weller
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Prestia 3, Caddy 2, Martin, Rioli, Higgins, Cotchin, Lambert, Grigg, Edwards
BEST
St Kilda: Ross, Steele, Steven, Gresham, Geary
Richmond: Prestia, Martin, Rance, Riewoldt, Short, Lambert
INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O’Gorman, Pannell, McInerney
Official crowd: 36,269 at Etihad Stadium
