Following defeat to Sydney last Saturday night, St Kilda look to finish 2016 on a high – starting with Richmond on Saturday. These two last met back in Round 16 of 2015, where a fast-finishing Saints went down by 16 points in the inaugural ‘Maddie’s Match’.
St Kilda vs Richmond
Round 16 - July 19, 2015
Summary
After going down to GWS by 35 points the week before, St Kilda were hoping for victory on a special occasion. On an emotional afternoon for the Riewoldt family, Richmond and St Kilda came together to honour Nick’s late sister Madeleine and raise awareness for ‘Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision’.
Inaccuracy hurt the Saints early, booting 2.5 to lead by just two points at the first change. St Kilda led clearances, tackles and disposals to have Richmond on the back foot early.
By half time the contest had done a complete 180. Booting six goals, Richmond turned the Saints’ two-point advantage into a 33-point deficit. By St Kilda's first goal of the second quarter, the Tigers were 40 points clear.
Saints fans got a glimpse of the future when Paddy McCartin won the footy and handballed to Mav Weller for one of his three goals. McCartin also nailed his first career goal, in what St Kilda supporters hope is one of many to come.
A carbon copy of the second, Richmond again restricted St Kilda to one goal for the quarter after half time. 52 points down at three quarter time, the game seemed dead and buried.
However, there was one last fight back from the Saints. Booting six unanswered goals, St Kilda slashed Richmond’s lead to just 15 points. Not to be, as time and early inaccuracy eventually denied the Saints a miraculous comeback.
Player Performances
Jack Steven was in excellent touch all afternoon, collecting a game-high 30 disposals. Luke Dunstan worked tirelessly for his 23 touches, eight marks and seven tackles, while Mav Weller showed his potential as a forward with three goals.
For Richmond, Brett Deledio starred with 28 disposals and three goals. Dustin Martin dazzled for his 29 touches, while Ben Lennon also booted three majors.
Stats that mattered
Both sides shared the key statistical areas, with the Saints going +35 in clearances and +25 in tackles. St Kilda showed an ability to rove Hampson’s taps, winning clearances despite going -14 in hit outs.
Who was missing?
Fair bit has changed since the last time these two met. Just 12 of the 22 that suited up in the Pride Game did not feature in last year’s clash. Hugh Goddard, who made his debut against the Tigers, won’t play as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury. Sam Fisher will also miss with a hamstring injury.
While for Richmond, 13 of those who played in their last encounter with St Kilda ran out in the narrow loss to Geelong. Most notable out will be Brett Deledio, whose seaosn is done as he battles a calf injury. Sam Lloyd did not last year, but has been a shining light for Richmond in a tough season.
What the coaches 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 coach Alan Richardson (July 19, 2015)
"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." – Richmond coach Damien Hardwick (July 19, 2015)
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)
