RICHMOND has strengthened its credentials as a top-four team with a 16-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, but not before receiving an almighty scare from the competition's comeback kings.

The game looked all but done at three-quarter time with the Tigers holding a tidy 52-point lead with the Saints' forwards struggling to find the ball. 

But the plucky Saints, who have made a habit of reeling in big margins after their 55-point round six comeback against the Western Bulldogs, booted the only six goals of the last quarter to get within 15 points. 

However, they left their run a little too late and went down 13.11 (89) to 10.13 (73) in the Sunday twilight match.

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It was the Tigers' fourth win in a row, and eighth since round seven. 

While a 10-goal percentage boost would have been handy, the four points leaves them in outright fifth position and just one game behind Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans.

Five talking points: St Kilda v Richmond

But, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said it would be a different game review on Monday with the Tigers' inability to kick a goal in the final term, which undid three quarters of hard work.   

"Momentum shifts in footy are very hard to control at various stages and that was one of them," Hardwick said. 

"To St Kilda's credit they steamrolled us. They just got that run and carry going out of the backline.

"It was obviously very disappointing to go down six goals (in the last quarter) and I don't think we scored a goal."

It was an emotional afternoon for both teams, with the game dubbed "Maddie's Match" in honour of St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt's late sister Madeleine. 

Nick and cousin, Richmond forward Jack, embraced as they officiated the coin toss at the start of the game, which was designed as the first big fundraiser for Maddie Riewoldt's Vision – an organisation that raises awareness for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.

Maddie passed away in February this year from aplastic anemia. 

Dustin Martin (29 disposals), Brett Deledio (28) and Alex Rance were among the Tigers' best, while Ben Lennon seized the opportunity to stand up in the absence of Shane Edwards as a creative forward option.

Lennon booted three goals, along with Deledio, which gave the Saints a headache in the first three quarters with their usual goal-kickers battling to make an impact.

Rance lacked his usual rebound power but blanketed in-form Saints forward Josh Bruce, who took just one mark and didn't kick a major until the 15-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

The Saints had just three goal scorers before the final change, while the Tigers had eight. 

Jack Riewoldt (2.4) appeared more prolific than his cousin, who came into the game battling a right calf injury, for the first three quarters. 

But Nick's presence in the final term as the Saints made their big move was telling, as he again defied his body to be an integral part of their forward structure with the opening goal and a hand in another.

Saints to persist with Riewoldt-McCartin combination: Richardson

Mav Weller was terrific for the Saints with his role on Nick Vlastuin and at times Bachar Houli, which helped stem the Tigers' attack off half-back.

He also led the Saints for goals with three, including the game's last – an incredible effort on the run - 19 minutes into the fourth term. 

Their usual midfield brigade of Jack Steven and David Armitage got things moving after half-time, while Shane Savage helped inject some spark early in the fourth term as the Saints just fell short of another improbable comeback.

Coach Alan Richardson said the fact his team continued to fight – again – when the game looked done showed how far they'd come in 12 months.

"We spoke about it at three-quarter time, we could either just roll over or we could do something about it," Richardson said.

"It was a pretty important day for our club, it was an important day for our skipper and his family and we couldn't have been prouder, really, of the way they finished off."

ST KILDA      2.5   3.8   4.10   10.13 (73)
RICHMOND   2.3   8.6   13.8   13.11 (89) 

GOALS
St Kilda: Weller 3, Savage, Riewoldt, Montagna, McCartin, Dunstan, Bruce, Armitage
Richmond: Lennon 3, Deledio 3, Riewoldt 2, Vlastuin, Newman, Maric, Lambert, Grigg

BEST
St Kilda: Weller, Steven, Armitage, Roberton, Dempster, Savage   
Richmond: Deledio, Martin, Lennon, Rance, Grigg, Riewoldt 

INJURIES
St Kilda: Longer (nose)
Richmond: Martin (head)

SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Jack Sinclair replaced Jack Lonie at three-quarter time
Richmond: Nathan Gordon replaced Matt McDonough in the fourth quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O'Gorman, Findlay, Mollison 

Crowd: 45,722 at Etihad Stadium