ST KILDA has shaken off a slow start to register a 21-point win over Richmond in an entertaining game at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The 17.13 (115) to 14.10 (94) victory was the Saints' 13th in succession over the Tigers - a streak that dates back to round four, 2003.

However, the game might have also been the farewell appearance for retiring veteran Ben Cousins, who strained his left hamstring during the third quarter.

While Cousins' injury soured the afternoon somewhat, the battle of the Riewoldts provided plenty of highlights at either end of the ground.

Jack Riewoldt bagged seven goals for Richmond, while his cousin Nick booted 3.3 for St Kilda.

Justin Koschitzke (five goals), Nick Dal Santo (36 possessions) and Brendon Goddard (29) were other dominant players on the winning side, as was Leigh Montagna, who picked up 42 touches.

Goddard enjoyed both highs and lows. He took one of the finest marks of the season during the second quarter, then cost his team a goal when he was responsible for an interchange infringement in the third.

Back after a four-week suspension, midfielder Trent Cotchin was an impressive contributor for the Tigers, while Jack Riewoldt took his season tally to 75 goals, and kept him in front of Bulldogs forward Barry Hall in the race for the Coleman Medal.

Jake King was another surprise packet in attack with three goals.

Richmond began well and led by 17 points with less than three minutes to go in the opening quarter.

But two late majors had the Saints within five points at the first change, and they hit the front early in the second term through Koschitzke.

However, the Tigers kept battling, and thanks to a brilliant goal from Cotchin they trailed their top-four opponents by only five points at the long break.

The Saints' class shone through during the second half, though it took until the early stages of the last quarter for them to finally break clear.

St Kilda     5.2   10.6   13.9   17.13 (115)
Richmond     6.1   10.1   12.3   14.10 (94)

GOALS
St Kilda: Koschitzke 5, Riewoldt 3, Dal Santo 2, Goddard 2, Armitage, Gram, Milne, Montagna Pattison
Richmond: Riewoldt 7, King 3, Cotchin 2, Moore, Taylor

BEST
St Kilda: Montagna, Goddard, Koschitzke, Dal Santo, Riewoldt, Gilbert
Richmond: Riewoldt, Cotchin, King, Deledio, Connors, Edwards

INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Richmond: Cousins (hamstring), Thursfield (corked thigh)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Wenn, Jennings, McInerney

Official crowd: 33,790 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.