Richmond shows its home town dominance against St Kilda with 20th-straight win in Melbourne

ANYONE still want to talk about Richmond’s interstate record?The Tigers showed they are unstoppable in Melbourne after belting St Kilda and their premiership defence could not be better placed.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin pumps his fist after a first-quarter goal. Picture: Michael Klein

ANYONE still want to talk about Richmond’s interstate record?

It might have made a good headline after a fourth loss from as many games on the road to Greater Western Sydney last week but when you are the undisputed kings of the jungle in Melbourne it really doesn’t matter much.

The Tigers chalked up their 20th straight win in Melbourne, belting St Kilda by 54 points at Etihad Stadium, and their premiership defence could not be better placed.

This time last year the Tigers sat 11-6 with only two of their final five games at the MCG.

Now, they are 13-4, on top of the ladder, have a short injury list and four of their final five matches to come at the home of football only a stone throw away from Punt Rd Oval.

What a dream.

Dustin Martin gives Seb Ross the slip. Picture: Michael Klein

The Saints weren’t exactly a scalp, but the way Richmond went about it was most impressive.

The Tigers’ ball movement from defence to attack was as slick as it has been all season, as was their clearance work.

The only thing that could stop Dustin Martin early in the evening was a blood rule after a head clash in the second quarter, last year’s Brownlow medallist racking up 16 disposals, four clearances and a goal in a stellar opening 60 minutes.

But this Tigers team is far from a one-man show.

Dion Prestia (26 disposals, three goals) produced arguably his best game of the year, Jack Higgins continues to grow in his first season and Jayden Short is blossoming since missing last year’s Grand Final.

Kane Lambert crashes into St Kilda’s Bailey Rice after taking a mark. Picture: Michael Klein

Jack Riewoldt shone with four goals on the night that honoured his late cousin Maddie, Kane Lambert continues to hurt opposition sides and Toby Nankervis was again gallant in the ruck.

As much as they improved dramatically after trailing by 58 points at halftime, the damage was done for the Saints.

And while it’s hard to point fingers at the young players, the leaders were as much at fault as anyone.

Tom Hickey missed a set shot from 25m directly in front in the first 11 minutes, Jaryn Geary dropped a mark he should have taken 30m out straight in front soon after and Jake Carlisle turned over a 15m sideways kick straight onto the chest of a Richmond opponent early in the second term.

Jack Riewoldt marks on the lead. Picture: Michael Klein

It was far from the only turnover, either.

The Saints struggled to hit targets by foot and simply could not break a Richmond defensive structure that was watertight.

In the corresponding game last year, the Saints kicked 10 of the first 11 goals.

This time it was Richmond who did the reverse.

It again posed the question — where is St Kilda headed?

Since toppling the Tigers in by 67 points in Round 16 last year the Saints have posted six wins and a draw from 24 outings.

That 9-6 start to last season seems a distant memory.

But we know where Richmond is heading and there are more than 99,000 members licking their lips as September draws ever closer.

ST KILDA 1.2 2.3 5.7 8.9 (57)

RICHMOND 6.4 11.7 14.10 16.15 (111)

GOALS

Saints: Membrey 2, Gresham 2, Hickey, Marshall, Steven, Weller

Tigers: Riewoldt 4, Prestia 3, Caddy 2, Higgins, Martin, Lambert, Cotchin, Rioli, Edwards, Grigg

BEST

Saints: Gresham Ross, Armitage, Steven

Tigers: Prestia, Martin, Riewoldt, Short, Cotchin, Lambert, Edwards, Nankervis

INJURIES

Saints: Nil

Tigers: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O’Gorman, Pannell, McInerney

Official crowd: 36,269 at Etihad Stadium

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