ST KILDA has continued its push to finish the season on a high, holding off a disappointing Richmond to win a scrappy clash at the MCG by nine points.  

The 7.13 (55) to 6.10 (46) win has come at a cost, however, with young forward Paddy McCartin suffering a broken collarbone in the first half that brings an end to his luckless season. 

Full match coverage and stats

The Saints dominated the first half but were inaccurate against a flat Richmond, which lifted its rating after the main break to save face as its season comes to a disappointing close.

Damien Hardwick's men kicked three of the last four goals to force the Saints to run out an ugly match, but they never had control for a sustained period and didn't look like winners all day. 

St Kilda, now 11-10, faces the Brisbane Lions in round 23 and can springboard into 2017 as it continues an impressive build under Alan Richardson.

Five talking points: Richmond v St Kilda

Midfielder Seb Ross was outstanding, winning 34 possessions while also keeping an eye on Brownlow Medal contender Dustin Martin in an entertaining duel.

The 23-year-old won the Ian Stewart Medal as best on ground and was well supported in the midfield by young teammates Blake Acres (26 and five inside 50s) and Jack Newnes (28).  

The most pleasing aspect of the win for Richardson was the Saints' ability to concede just 46 points, the fewest kicked against them this season.

"What was really comforting amongst some of the frustration was how positive we were defensively … it didn't really feel as though they were going to get through us," the coach said.

"We didn't quite get it offensively right today, we were too slow from the back and we went back behind the mark way too often. 

"We like to be pretty aggressive with the ball and we did not do that today."

The Saints have improved their ladder position each season under Richardson, moving from 18th in 2014 to 14th last year and are on the edge of finals in 2016, likely to finish the year in 10th.

The Tigers, on the other hand, have gone backwards at a rate of knots under Hardwick in 2016 and played as poor as they have this season in the first half.

Eleven Tigers didn't lay a tackle in the first half in a performance that would have earned them the wrath of the coach at the main break.

They emerged with a renewed purpose after half-time, but it was not enough to deliver four points ahead of a trip to the SCG to face the Sydney Swans in their final game of the season.

Both coaches came good on their promise to turn their teams over in the final two rounds, giving fringe players opportunities to prove themselves.

St Kilda's hand was forced, with injury to ruckman Tom Hickey leading to American ruckman Jason Holmes, who impressed with his 25 hit-outs, playing his first game since round 23 last season.  

For Richmond, young tall Callum Moore made his debut and versatile tall Todd Elton played his first game this season and just his second in five years on the Tigers' list.

Moore, the seventh debutant for the Tigers in 2016, was starved of opportunities and finished with three marks and one goal.

Elton, meanwhile, kicked the opening goal of the match and had a mixed day, taking a courageous mark in attack and finishing with 10 possessions and four contested grabs. 

The first half was a nightmare for the Tigers, who played like a team desperate for their season to come to a close.

The Saints went into attack 28 times to 12 to take a 21-point lead – which flattered the Tigers – into the main break.

The slow, cautious approach of the first half was flipped on its head in the third quarter, however, as Martin (31 possessions and seven inside 50s), captain Trent Cotchin (28 and four clearances) and young forward Daniel Rioli (16 and two goals) drove a fightback.

Still, the Tigers couldn't capitalise kicking 1.4 from 15 inside 50s, leaving them with too much work to do in the final term.

"We thought our intensity and effort was off … to come out and start like we did was disappointing," Hardwick said. 

"We spoke to them at half-time and were pretty firm that we needed to respond and get our game up and going.

It is a long season, especially with some sides playing for not much now … but we still expect better effort."

MEDICAL ROOM
Richmond: Key forward Jack Riewoldt came from the ground with a cut lip in the third quarter and needed stitches, spending almost 15 minutes on the sidelines. Bachar Houli hurt the left wrist he had a screw inserted into earlier this season but played out the match. 

St Kilda: McCartin hurt himself diving for a disputed ball 15 minutes in and he was able to take his free kick and convert. He came straight from the ground, however, and a broken right collarbone was confirmed. The young forward may need a plate inserted but should be back for a heavy running phase at the start of pre-season.  

NEXT UP
The Saints will be expected to notch their 12th win for the season against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, which would be their equal best return since last playing finals in 2011. The Tigers are limping to the finish and will take another young team to face the Sydney Swans at the SCG. 

Jade Gresham (right) and Jack Lonie celebrate a goal in their low-scoring victory. Picture: AFL Photos

RICHMOND       2.1      2.5      3.9       6.10      (46)                  
ST KILDA          3.5      5.8      5.10     7.13      (55)          

GOALS
Richmond: Rioli 2, Elton, Riewoldt, Moore, Lambert
St Kilda: McCartin 2, Membrey 2, Gresham, Riewoldt, Billings

BEST 
Richmond: Martin, Rance, Rioli, Vlastuin, Lambert
St Kilda: Ross, Montagna, Acres, Newnes, Steven, Riewoldt

INJURIES 
Richmond: Houli (wrist), Riewoldt (cut lip) 
St Kilda: McCartin (broken collarbone)

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Matt Stevic, Curtis Deboy, Shaun Ryan

Official crowd: 35,255 at the MCG