Quicker ball movement and better skill execution has been a key focus for Richmond leading into Saturday’s Round 15 clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
The Tigers’ work-rate, intensity and contested-ball work against premiership fancy Sydney at the MCG last Saturday was commendable, but they failed to fully capitalise on the opportunities created.
In order to return to the winners’ list, after suffering four consecutive defeats, they are aware effort must be matched with improved composure, decision-making and finishing.
“It’s really important that we move the ball quickly because, if you start moving it slowly, they zone back in front of you,” Richmond assistant coach Danny Daly said on this week’s Roar Vision ‘Spotlight’.
“They’re pretty well one-on-one, so the more we can get the football going forward, get the game on our terms, and get it into our (forward) keys like Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery and Brett Deledio, if he plays forward, the better.
“The ability to beat the St Kilda defenders one-on-one is crucial for us . . .
“We just need to make sure we don’t muck around with the footy in our back half.
“It’s really important that we get some fast breaks going and some fast footy, and get the football in (forward 50) 50 times if we can.”
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Saturday, June 28, 2.10pm
TV coverage: Fox Footy (live from 2pm)
Radio coverage: 3AW, Triple M
The Richmond team
B: Chaplin, Batchelor, Rance
HB: Houli, Dea, Morris
C: Foley, Cotchin, Petterd
HF: Martin, Vickery, Deledio
F: S. Edwards, Riewoldt, Conca
R: Maric, Ellis, Miles
IC: Grimes, Thomas, Vlastuin, Newman
Em: Lloyd, Arnot, O’Hanlon
In: Newman, Vickery
Out: A. Edwards (groin), Hampson (omitted)
Milestone: Dustin Martin, 100th game
See the full team list and how St Kilda will line-up, presented by Sportsbet.com.au
Richmond v St Kilda recent history
Round 14, 2013, MCG
Richmond 4.4 10.9 15.13 17.17 (119)
St Kilda 3.2 4.4 7.5 8.7 (55)
Goals – Richmond: Jackson 3, Riewoldt 3, Deledio 2, Foley 2, Grigg 2, Conca, A. Edwards, Ellis, King, Vickery.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 24, Deledio 24, Foley 23, Martin 23, Conca 22, S. Edwards 21, Jackson 21.
Goals – St Kilda: Dennis-Lane 2, Dal Santo, Jones, Montagna, Murdoch, Riewoldt, Steven.
Leading possession-getters – St Kilda: Armitage 25, Dal Santo 25, Jones 24, Steven 23, Montagna 22.
Round 2, 2013, MCG
Richmond 4.5 8.10 12.12 14.15 (99)
St Kilda 3.1 6.6 11.7 12.10 (82)
Goals – Richmond: Riewoldt 7, McGuane 2, Conca, King, Maric, Newman, Vickery.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 31, Deledio 27, Conca 25, Martin 24, Chaplin 22, Grigg 21, Tuck 21, Petterd 20.
Goals – St Kilda: Riewoldt 4, Maister 2, Saad 2, Gilbert, McEvoy, Milne, Stanley.
Leading possession-getters – St Kilda: Montagna 27, Dal Santo 25, Hayes 24, Jones 24, Steven 23, Riewoldt 20.
Round 10, 2012, Etihad Stadium
Richmond 3.7 9.8 12.11 18.13 (121)
St Kilda 3.4 9.6 10.14 16.17 (113)
Goals – Richmond: Riewoldt 8, Edwards 2, Nahas 2, Deledio, Ellis, I. Maric, Martin, Tuck, Vickery.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 29, Deledio 29, Grigg 26, Martin 26, Tuck 24, Batchelor 22, Foley 20, I. Maric 20, Morris 20, Riewoldt 20.
Goals – St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Saad 3, Armitage 2, Gram 2, Milera 2, Dal Santo, Goddard, Koschitzke, Milne.
Leading possession-getters – St Kilda: Gilbert 25, Goddard 25, Hayes 24, Armitage 22, Dal Santo 22, Gram 22, Montagna 21.
Round 2, 2011, MCG
Richmond 2.4 9.5 10.9 14.11 (95)
St Kilda 4.6 7.10 9.12 13.17 (95)
Goals – Richmond: Martin 3, King 2, Vickery 2, Cotchin, Deledio, Edwards, Grigg, Helbig, Jackson, Morton.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Deledio 29, Grigg 29, Jackson 21, Martin 21, Cotchin 20, Newman 20.
Goals – St Kilda: Milne 4, Riewoldt 3, Armitage, Blake, Gamble, Goddard, McEvoy, Ray.
Leading possession-getters – St Kilda: Armitage 25, Milne 24, Gram 23, Dal Santo 22, Fisher 22, Montagna 22.
Round 21, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
Richmond 6.1 10.1 12.3 14.10 (94)
St Kilda 5.2 10.6 13.9 17.13 (115)
Goals – Richmond: Riewoldt 7, King 3, Cotchin 2, Moore, Taylor.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Connors 26, Deledio 25, Edwards 25, Tuck 21, Cousins 20, Morton 20.
Goals – St Kilda: Koschitzke 5, Riewoldt 3, Dal Santo 2, Goddard 2, Armitage, Gram, Milne, Montagna, Pattison.
Leading possession-getters – St Kilda: Montagna 42, Dal Santo 36, Goddard 29, Gilbert 23, Peake 20, Gram 19, Riewoldt 18.
Richmond v St Kilda head-to-head
• Richmond has played St Kilda 177 times for 105 wins, 69 losses and three draws.
• Richmond last defeated St Kilda in Round 14, 2013 at the MCG – 17.17 (119) to 8.7 (55).
• Richmond has won three (the last three) and drawn one of its past 10 games against St Kilda.
• Richmond and St Kilda have never met in a Grand Final.
• Richmond and St Kilda have met in just three finals all-up, with the Tigers winning one and the Saints two.
• Richmond and St Kilda have played in three drawn games - Round 3, 1978, Round 3, 1980 and Round 2, 2011.
• Richmond’s best winning sequence against St Kilda is 15, from 1940-49.
• Richmond’s longest losing sequence against St Kilda is 13, from 2003-11.
• Richmond’s highest score against St Kilda is 34.18 (222), Round 16, 1980 at the SCG. This is the Club’s all-time record score.
• Richmond’s lowest score against St Kilda is 0.8 (8), Round 16, 1961, at Junction Oval.
• Richmond’s greatest winning margin against St Kilda is 152 points, Round 16, 1980 at the SCG.
• Richmond’s greatest losing margin against St Kilda is 103 points, Round 17, 2006 at the MCG.
• Most goals kicked in a match by a Richmond player against St Kilda is 10 (twice) by Michael Roach - Round 18, 1979, and Round 16, 1980.
• Richmond’s biggest-ever crowd against St Kilda is 102,494, in the 1971 preliminary final at the MCG.
Fast fact: Jack Riewoldt has kicked 31 goals in his past five full games against St Kilda (he was subbed out of the Round 2, 2011 clash with the Saints early due to concussion, and was goalless at the time).
