RICHMOND'S growing maturity was on show in the final term of Friday night's win over St Kilda at the MCG, but it will receive an acid test in the next three weeks as the Tigers look to build on their 2-0 start to the season.

It's been 18 years since the Tigers started a season 3-0 and they will be favoured to do just that against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

Things get much tougher thereafter, however, with clashes against Collingwood (MCG), Fremantle (Patersons Stadium) and Geelong (MCG) to follow.

Coach Damien Hardwick praised his team's leaders for standing up in the last quarter on Friday night when St Kilda cut the margin to four points, the Tigers eventually steadying to win by 17.

Eight days earlier they had fallen in a heap in the final term against Carlton, but midfielder Shaun Grigg said the Tigers were gaining confidence late in tight games.

"I think we've matured and we've got things in place that we can rely on," Grigg said.

"Our structures are pretty sound, so we were just rapt to take on the Saints, who are a formidable team, and get the win.

"I was very confident all of that last quarter that we were going to win.

"We've put in a lot of hard work over the off-season and we think we've improved. To get the two wins is a good little reward."

Hardwick also noted the evenness of Richmond's midfield on Friday night, with third-year on-baller Reece Conca adding to the mix in the best game of his short career.

While they fell short in some key indicators (the Saints won the centre clearances 19-9) Grigg said the Tigers were at their best when there was an even list of midfield contributors.

"We didn't have anyone really down and we didn't have anyone who really starred either," he said.

"It's another good sign for us, a good consistent effort.

"We can rely on anyone to do a job for us now and we don't feel like we're carrying anyone.

"Everyone's chipping in and knows their roles, so it's working well."

While he was well held in the first half, captain Trent Cotchin won 22 possessions after the main break to play a crucial role in the Tigers' win.

The Brownlow Medal fancy was continually buffeted off the ball on Friday night and Grigg said his teammates needed to do everything they could to protect him when he was receiving heavy attention.   

"We've got to help him out as much as we can," Grigg said.

"Little blocks, give him the ball when he's free, those sorts of things.

"He's great. He did a job and went to (Nick) Dal Santo for us for a bit, and he's very flexible in what he can do.

"He's really good in those tight, hard situations."

Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan