UP UNTIL round ten last season, St Kilda hadn’t lost to Richmond for almost 9 years - a remarkable run of 13 wins and a draw without defeat.

Jack Riewoldt has dominated the last five encounters between the two teams, booting 22 goals including hauls of seven, six and eight.

The two other occasions were far less productive; he kicked just one major in round 13, 2009 out of a score of just 5.6 (36). In the second round of the 2011 season, he went goalless after being concussed in the opening few minutes of the match.

Most goals in last five St Kilda vs Richmond matches: 

The midfield battle has been an intriguing contest in recent times. Leigh Montagna amassed 42 disposals in round 21, 2010 but other than that Brendan Goddard has been the dominant force against the Tigers in recent times.

With no Goddard on Friday night, Richmond’s focus will shift to the Saints host of other midfielders, with Nick Dal Santo and David Armitage in particularly good form.

Highest average disposals per game in last five St Kilda vs Richmond matches:

Which midfielders will get their hands on the ball first will play a vital role in the outcome of the match. Over the last two seasons Trent Cotchin has averaged close to six takeaways per game, and last Friday night the midfielder had seven clearances in amongst 33 disposals.

Highest average clearances per game in last five St Kilda vs Richmond matches:

• Richmond hasn’t won their opening two games of the season since 1997, while St Kilda hasn’t lost their opening two games since 2000. Unless Friday night is a draw (just like round 2, 2011), one of these records is sure to be broken.
• This Friday’s clash will be just the second time these two teams meet on a Friday night in their history. The first meeting was the drawn game two years ago and attracted over 41,000 people.

The last ten meetings between Richmond and St Kilda have tended to be high scoring affairs.

Of the last ten clashes, the average score-line is:

St Kilda 16.13 (109)

Richmond 12.11 (83)

Aside from two big blowouts in the Saints favour, the large majority of matches in recent years have been tight. The last two encounters have been decided by a total of eight points, and with the Tigers and Saints both finishing a couple of games outside the eight in 2012, another close affair is on the cards.

Follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32