The Saints targeted winning the contested ball and tackles, but were cut to shreds by Richmond’s runners in a match-defining first quarter.
Richmond piled on six goals to one in the opening term, winning 90 uncontested possessions to 56, and then held the Saints at arms length at Etihad Stadium.
"A disappointing start, disappointing end," was how Richardson summed-up the defeat, compounded by three late goals to the Tigers.
"We had a real focus on wanting to – if you couldn't win the footy - then put really significant pressure on.
"When Richmond's had 70-plus tackles put on them this year they haven't won.
"We ended up with 76, so we got the number, but in achieving that pressure at times we left too many on the outside.
"They just smashed us on the outside. Their ability to get outside us when it got in tight was incredibly disappointing."
Five talking points: St Kilda v Richmond
The Saints had the better of the second and third terms, largely thanks to their defence and midfield getting on top.
Luke Delaney drew Richardson's praise after he held Jack Riewoldt goal-less after quarter-time, while Leigh Montagna (27 possessions) and former Hawk Shane Savage (26) led the fightback.
But with champion Nick Riewoldt held to only one major by Alex Rance, kicking a winning score was always going to be difficult.
Rhys Stanley showed some good signs with two goals in his 50th game and sub Darren Minchington added a couple, but it wasn't enough.
"I thought Rhys Stanley was a positive for us tonight," Richardson said.
"Rhys' challenge now is to back that up, he's played some pretty good footy for us early in the year and then dropped away with his consistency.
"Tonight we thought he gave us a real target. But there's no doubt we need more guys forward of the ball to be dangerous, to be a threat, so that opposition defences have to worry about others – not just Nick."
Richardson said the Saints' young players will "get their opportunities" in the remainder of the season as the 18th-placed club looks to the future.
St Kilda could be without Jimmy Webster against Carlton next Sunday after he suffered a "tweak" of his ankle late in the match, but Maverick Weller should be available after jarring his foot, Richardson said.
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
The Saints tackled hard but couldn't stop the Tigers once they found space. Picture: AFL Media
