1. Late spoil could cost Carlisle
About five minutes into the game, Jack Riewoldt took a mark in Richmond's forward line. A split second later he was hit in the head by Jake Carlisle's right forearm. Carlisle was reported for striking while the premiership Tiger stayed on the ground for a little while before finding his feet and being walked off by a couple of trainers. Riewoldt seemed groggy on his feet and did not come back on to the field. Carlisle being suspended is the last thing St Kilda needs, having won just one match for the season, especially considering the key defender has been one of the club's few shining lights this year.

TIGERS TOO TOUGH: Full match coverage and stats

2. Wounded Tigers
The concussion to Riewoldt will leave him in doubt for the Dreamtime at the 'G clash with Essendon next Saturday night. The Tigers aren't flushed with options for tall forwards and might need to throw ruckman Toby Nankervis down there and bring Ivan Soldo in if the dual Coleman medallist isn't declared fit. That wasn't the only casualty, with former Bomber Bachar Houli missing the entire second half after struggling with a groin injury. Dylan Grimes is the logical replacement there if the defender overcomes his back issue. In any case, those problems will give Richmond coach Damien Hardwick plenty to think about at the selection table. 

3. Brave Richmond does it again at the home of football
This was as spirited as St Kilda has been this season, perhaps helped by an accurate performance in front of goal, but it wasn't able to overcome a Tigers outfit with just two on the bench for the entire second half. Their ability to run the game out and dominate play when the match was up for grabs in the final term was incredibly impressive, although the Saints also finished the game with Jack Newnes and Brandon White spending plenty of time off the field. The victory took Richmond's winning streak at the MCG to 14 games, extending a club record, and the result emphasised how hard it is to overcome the reigning premiers at the venue that hosts the Grand Final. Alan Richardson would have taken some consolation that his side finished with more goals than behinds for the first time since round one but his task isn't any easier next week, with a trip to Optus Stadium to face West Coast arguably the toughest challenge in football at the moment.

4. Time for a spell, Jack Billings
It's been a disappointing year for the third selection from the 2013 NAB AFL Draft and it is time he had a spell with Sandringham. This has been on the cards for a while but a mounting injury list might have saved Billings. However, he seems a man bereft of confidence. A shot on his non-preferred right boot early in the final quarter under little pressure went out on the full, while he didn't hold on to a mark in the second term that he once would have swallowed with ease. Billings finished with 18 disposals and one goal but didn't have much impact in one of his side's most impressive performances of the season.

5. Helmeted McCartin
There was good and bad from returning St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin, who was back in after missing the past two matches with concussion and donning some new headwear. He started as the deepest forward with Alex Rance as his minder and made an inauspicious start, fumbling an uncontested mark on the lead. The 22-year-old managed to hold on to one later in the quarter though and his precise kick helped set-up the Saints' first goal. The former No.1 pick's impressive mark in the second term was cancelled out by a fluffed set shot that he should have converted, while his decision to snap from about 40m out when the drop punt was the right option had many scratching their heads. McCartin's numbers indicated a quiet game, amassing 11 disposals, six marks and no goals, but at least he offered a target.