An undermanned Richmond outfit has gotten back on the winners list following their belting in Perth last week, albeit not in the way initially predicted, with a gritty 28-point victory against a spirited St Kilda outfit.
Tipped from the outset to be one-sided affair, the Saints stood firm and remained well within the contest - even finding themselves up midway through the third term - yet were unable to hold onto the lead as the Tigers clawed their way back.
It was a day of massive hauls, with both Josh Caddy and Jade Gresham finishing with career-high six-goal bags for their respective sides, while Dan Butler chipped in with three of his own.
Trent Cotchin put together another masterful 32-disposal game, while the efforts St Kilda's Sebastian Ross (37), Jimmy Webster (36) and Jack Steven (36) weren't quite enough to edge out the reigning premiers.
Injuries plagued both sides, with Riewoldt, Bachar Houli, Luke Dunstan and Brandon White potentially playing the role of spectators next week.
With both sides desperate to atone for their disappointing performances last week, an early impact on the scoreboard was integral for either teams' confidence.
Almost unsurprisingly, it was Caddy who opened up proceedings and put a much-needed smile on the faces of the yellow-and-black army, giving Richmond an early lead at their fortress.
But there wasn't much reason for the Tigers to smile beforehand, with Riewoldt ruled out of the game with concussion following a high hit from St Kilda's Jake Carlisle, who was reported for the reckless high contact.
Dazed from the blow, the superstar was forced to sit out the rest of the match, leaving a sizeable hole in the Richmond forward line.
With their attacking end down one key player, their defence fared no better in the injury department, with Bachar Houli similarly unable to return to the field after injuring his groin in the opening term.
Although Houli returned in the second term, the defender's impact was minimal and ultimately brief, resulting in him being sidelined for the remainder of the game.
Despite the significant losses, Richmond continued to steam ahead in typical fashion, lifting in their defensive pressure and preventing the Saints from transitioning the ball into their forward 50.
Even with their ball movement stifled, the result was only temporary as St Kilda managed to put themselves on the board through Jack Newnes after 15 minutes of play.
In complete contrast to their performance against West Coast, the Tigers found their rhythm, working efficiently in creating space through the corridor and capitalising on St Kilda’s missed opportunities.
Despite the efforts of Steven who kicked a much-needed goal for the Saints, it was Butler’s exciting goal in the final seconds of the term which extended the Tigers' lead, putting them nine points in front heading into the second term.
Refusing to let the Saints get so much as a touch on the ball, Richmond continued to ride off their momentum as Caddy converted his second for the day early in the piece to demoralise their persistent opposition.
While St Kilda persevered and found the ball in their forward 50, silly turnovers and an inability to capitalise when the ball was in their possession allowed Richmond to work the ball out of their defence.
Yet St Kilda's pressure down back eventually paid dividends, with a Jack Steele intercept gifting Tim Membrey his first goal in two weeks to bring the Saints within 10 points.
The efforts of Webster and Ross across half-back were vital in controlling and moving the ball into the Saints forward half, yet just the one additional major resulted from the dynamic Jade Gresham, following three successive behinds.
Despite being two vital players down, the Tigers - through a classy Trent Cotchin major - proved they would still be in with more than a chance to convincingly take out the four points, as the visitors began to lessen their intensity.
Although the Saints lifted their pressure late, Richmond made them pay on the scoreboard, with Caddy slotting in his third to see the term finish with a 13-point lead in favour of the Tigers.
Unlike the beginning of the first half, St Kilda opened up proceedings with four unanswered goals to put the Saints in front for the first time in the match.
With Jack Billings and Jack Lonie hitting the scoreboard early, it was evident the Tigers were sorely missing their key forward in Riewoldt, with the home side seemingly losing their momentum in the midfield and having difficulty transitioning the ball into the forward half.
Jade Gresham was the key for the Saints in the quarter, with 11 explosive disposals and two crucial majors to put the Saints 12 points up midway through the third term.
The Saints found themselves in control in all areas of the ground, with Carlisle preventing any ball movement in the Tigers defensive half while the midfield force of Steven and Ross continued to rack up disposals.
But the Tigers weren't going lay down.
Thanks to the efforts of Nick Vlastuin converting two in a row, scores were levelled with 10 minutes left on the clock.
It was only the beginning of Richmond's ascendancy, as an influx of goals by Dustin Martin and Caddy brought the Tigers back to life as they restored their lead at the final change with a 10-point advantage.
The Tigers continued to extend their lead with Martin converting the first major of the final term, before the Saints quickly responded with Gresham's fifth in a desperate attempt to stay in the game.
Cotchin, Martin and Shaun Grigg were the standouts for the Tigers in moving the ball through the centre and assisting in shots on goal - their class putting the Saints out of contention.
As Vlastuin, Butler and Caddy extended their final scoring figures, with the latter cementing his sixth for the match, the Tigers raced out as 28-point victors, securing their eighth win of the season.
Richmond will hope to begin a new winning streak as they take on Essendon in the much-anticipated Dreamtime at the 'G clash, while St Kilda will have a fair challenge when they travel to Optus Stadium to take on West Coast.
RICHMOND 3.3 6.4 10.9 15.15 (105)
ST KILDA 2.0 4.3 9.5 12.5 (77)
GOALS:
Richmond: Caddy 6, Vlastuin 3, Butler 3, Martin 2, Cotchin
St Kilda: Gresham 6, Membrey 2, Newnes, Steven, Lonie, Billings
BEST
Richmond: Caddy, Cotchin, Martin, Grigg, Butler, Vlastuin
St Kilda: Steven, Ross, Webster, Gresham, Geary
INJURIES:
Richmond: Riewoldt (concussion), Houli (groin)
St Kilda: White (thigh), Dunstan (shoulder)
TALKING POINTS
1. CARLISLE IN TROUBLE
Jake Carlisle being suspended is the absolute last thing St Kilda needs, with the defender one of the few remaining heads in the St Kilda backline with height and experience.
About five minutes into the first quarter, Carlisle's forearm made contact with Jack Riewoldt's head the former attempted to spoil the ball in a marking contest.
Riewoldt was left dazed, and although he eventually made his way off the field with the assistance of club medicos played no further part in the game after being ruled out with concussion.
The Saints could be left with just the one tall defender in Logan Austin, yet with just 14 games under his belt, experience will be sorely lacking against West Coast next week.
2. INJURY'HIT TIGERS PERSEVERE
It's often said it doesn't matter how you get the four points, just so long as you get them.
But the Tigers' victory over the Saints will be a bittersweet one at that, with two of their stars in doubt for next Saturday's massive Dreamtime at the 'G.
With key forward Jack Riewoldt needing to pass concussion tests within the week to get up for the marquee game of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Bachar Houli will be close to a certain absentee after injuring his groin and not returning for the second half.
The Tigers nonetheless have plenty in the shed, leaving what will hopefully be a relatively simple task for Damien Hardwick at the selection table.
3. SMALL FORWARD, TALL FORWARD - BOTH FINISH WITH SIX
Despite losing the match in the end, the Saints should undoubtedly be pleased with their accuracy in front of the big sticks, as well as the phenomenal efforts of Jade Gresham.
The small 20-year-old key was a shining light for the visitors, finishing with a career-best six goals, 15 disposals and nine score assists.
It was Gresham's efforts which helped catapult St Kilda two kicks in front midway through the third term, yet the Saints were unable to hold on to their lead.
Up the other end of the ground, Josh Caddy was just as damaging on the scoreboard with six majors of his own, and was best afield for the Tigers.
Caddy stood up to the plate in the absence of Jack Riewoldt, playing as the Tigers' solitary forward and converting with due diligence.
Should Riewoldt miss next week's Dreamtime clash, Richmond needn't worry about where their goals will come from.
4. SCORE REVIEW SHAMBLES
The score review system continues to surprise week after week, and today was no exception.
With the game in the balance in the third term, Jack Higgins had a crucial ping on goal from the 50m arc and nailed it with perfect precision to further the Tigers' lead.
Although Tom Hickey got a touch on the ball, the goal umpire was unsure of whether had fully crossed over the line before Hickey's interference, or whether the ball had been rushed over.
Upon review, the footage showed the ball over the line before Hickey's contact, yet the decision was deemed a behind despite all evidence indicating otherwise.
Like the bewildered Richmond fans, Damien Hardwick was just as scathing post-match, labelling the goal review system as "an embarrassment" on the game, and the technology similarly as "deplorable".
The AFL's take on the score review system and today's blunder will be interesting to see later in the week.
5. NOT QUITE A BIG BARREL
As the siren sounded to mark half-time, Jarryn Geary found himself with ball in hand 70m out from goal and an unlikely opportunity to cut the margin down to just seven points.
It would take something of Malcolm Blight proportions for the St Kilda skipper to get the ball over the line, but what else would lift your side rather than a massive goal after the siren?
Unfortunately, Geary isn't well-known for his big barrels, and shouldn't be either, after his kick went at a near 90 degree angle and landed just forward of the centre square.
But hey, may as well give it a good old-fashioned crack.
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