IT WAS Round 17, 2006 and Fraser Gehrig was at his destructive best. The power forward booted 10 goals in a 103-point victory that lifted the Saints into the top four, and severely dented any finals aspirations for the Tigers.

The 27.12 (174) to 10.11 (71) score-line remains the highest score for St Kilda against Richmond and the Saints sixth highest score ever.

Over 43,000 fans attended the match, St Kilda dominating from start to finish. Richmond simply had no answer to the G-Train, with defenders Darren Gasper and Andrew Kellaway late withdrawals.

Gasper was ruled out with a knee problem, while Kellaway injured his hamstring surfing two days before the game.

Gehrig was unstoppable, booting seven goals in the first half and three in the second before he finally registered his only behind for the day as he pushed for an 11^th major.

Gehrig’s 10-goal haul was the equal highest of his career, and during the game he booted his 300^th major for the club.

He wasn’t the only Saint troubling the scorers, with Jason Gram kicking four goals in amongst 29 disposals off a back flank. He was also one of five players to stay on the ground for every minute of the match.

22-year-old Leigh Montagna was similarly dominant in the midfield, amassing 34 disposals, six clearances and kicking three goals. He was well supported by left-footer Stephen Powell, who collected 24 touches - 11 of them contested.

The Tigers day went from bad to worse in the second term when Nathan Brown strained his right hamstring and didn’t return. In a sign of the times, Brendon Goddard was reportedly concussed in the second quarter, but returned to the field to play out the match.

The Saints broke a 27-year-old record on this day, booting 16 straight goals from 9.6 to 25.6, surpassing Geelong’s 15 majors without a behind, coincidentally against the Saints in round five, 1979.

For Richmond, 19-year-old midfielder Brett Deledio collected 24 disposals and five tackles, while Andrew Raines had 22 touches on the wing.

St Kilda has six players who are in line for selection this Friday night who played in that match - with Max Hudghton now an assistant coach:

Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Stephen Milne, Jason Blake, Nick Dal Santo and Sam Fisher.

Richmond has just three surviving members:

Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley and Shane Tuck.

St Kilda coach Grant Thomas post-match:

“[Gehrig] has taken his leadership and his direction to a new level – he’s been outstanding. I really couldn’t care less about how many goals he kicks, I’m more interested in how he carries himself and the dynamic that he carries within the team and that’s been nothing less than outstanding.”

Richmond coach Terry Wallace post-match:

“I thought the result was heading in that direction in the first 10 minutes or so realistically. We were in all sorts of trouble very early and it never got any better as the game progressed.”

Follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32