Richmond has been upset by St Kilda in a disappointing 40-point loss on the club's return to the MCG on Friday night.

A goalless opening quarter put the Tigers on the back foot early as the Saints took control of the match and ran out 9.8 (62) to 2.10 (22) winners.

The Tigers will now take on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in the yet to be confirmed round 16 fixture.

The result lifts the Saints up to 12th on the ladder, just one game behind the Tigers who are now teetering on the edge of the eight.

The 9.8 (62) to 2.10 (22) result saw the Tigers record their lowest score since 1961, their lowest score at the MCG since 1927 and their sixth lowest score in their long and proud history.

The dirty defeat could also come at a cost, with defender Noah Balta (knee) a casualty of the contest in the second half with what appeared a serious concern. But the Tigers' night was over well before then, with St Kilda's pressure and intensity overcoming Richmond at its MCG fortress.

The Tigers were out of sync and making uncharacteristic errors across the night: captain Trent Cotchin kicked out on the full, Shai Bolton missed a simple target, Dustin Martin's running shot skewed off the side of the boot and Jack Riewoldt was held to just one behind.

But the Saints forced those errors as well. They dominated the midfield battle, with best-on-ground Luke Dunstan (32 disposals) and skipper Jack Steele (25) excellent, while in attack their took their chances to put themselves back in the mix of sides fighting for a top-eight berth.

RICHMOND 0.5 1.6 2.7 2.10 (22)
ST KILDA 3.2 5.3 8.7 9.8 (62)

GOALS
Richmond: Edwards, Martin
St Kilda: King 2, McKenzie 2, Dunstan, Higgins, Long, Ross, Wood

BEST
Richmond: Vlastuin, Pickett, Graham, Baker
St Kilda: Dunstan, Steele, Sinclair, Crouch, Webster, Byrnes

INJURIES
Richmond: Balta (knee), Broad (ankle), Chol (hand)
St Kilda: Billings (knee) replaced in selected side by Connolly, Coffield (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Mansell (replaced Balta)
St Kilda: Connolly (replaced Coffield)