ONLY seven days ago Alan Richardson was given nine games to prove he should remain coach at St Kilda next year.

The Saints' loss to Brisbane last week put immense pressure on Richardson's position, leading football boss Simon Lethlean to say the Saints would need to show improvement for the coach's tenure to continue into 2020.

That rebound came against Richmond on Sunday. The Tigers got the honours, beating a persistent Saints outfit by 33 points at Marvel Stadium, but the 16.7 (103) to 10.10 (70) result will alleviate some of the immediate scrutiny on Richardson despite the fadeout in the last term.

It was also against a much stronger Richmond outfit than in recent weeks, too, after the inclusion of big names Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, David Astbury and Kane Lambert.

The Tigers took some time to get going after making seven changes from the side that lost to Adelaide two weeks ago but were stronger in the crunch periods against the Saints. 

Dustin Martin was excellent throughout the contest with 36 disposals (a game-high 13 contested) and six clearances, while Dion Prestia (29 touches), and Kane Lambert (23) were also influential.

TIGERS ROAR BACK Full match coverage and stats

NAB AFL Rising Star contender Sydney Stack was also crucial in the win, booting four goals, including three in the first half, in a dynamic display in attack, while young ruckman/forward Mabior Chol kicked three in a promising performance.

Pleasingly, too, for Tigers coach Damien Hardwick, all of his players returning from injury got through unscathed as Richmond gives itself a chance at making an impact in September.

SEASON STARTS NOW Damien Hardwick looking to build momentum for September

St Kilda didn't win but will have been pleased by the showing of a number of its youngsters. Rowan Marshall put in another consistent game with 19 disposals, a goal and 33 hit-outs, while Jade Gresham (22 disposals) and Hunter Clark (23) also had an impact. 

St Kilda was fast out of the blocks, kicking the first three goals of the game before Richmond could settle.

Clark was impressive, finding nine disposals in a busy first term, but the Tigers grew into the contest.

Stack's flying grab at the top of the goal square, and subsequent goal, was the highlight of the term as Richmond cut the deficit to a goal at the first change.

Stack didn't stop there. He kicked the first goal of the second term before a four-goal run from St Kilda that was built on quick ball movement and daring pace saw it jump to a 23-point lead.

Mature-agers and line-breakers Matt Parker and Nick Hind got involved for the Saints, with Hind booting two sharp goals.

But Stack continued to take his chances and a shimmy and long goal from the first-year sensation helped Richmond get back within four points at the main break.

St Kilda controlled the ball for the main part of the third term, before Richmond struck back, forcing the Saints into errors and capitalising.

FINDING POSITIVES Alan Richardson excited by youngsters standing up

After Martin had set up Tom Lynch for a goal, Daniel Rioli ran into an open one and then Josh Caddy slotted a long shot, the Tigers had booted six goals straight to take a 14-point lead.

GAMEBREAKER Sensational Stack snares four in attack

St Kilda was efficient in the first half, but Richmond's defensive tactics shut down their space in the third term, drying up the Saints' scoring. A late goal to Parker, however, kept them within touching distance.

Matthew Parker celebrates his goal against the Tigers. Picture: Quinn Rooney, Getty Images/AFL Photos

But Richmond's class came to the fore when it mattered.

SHOWREEL Mabior Chol impresses us all

Jason Castagna's goal midway through the last quarter sealed it for the Tigers, after exciting youngster Shai Bolton had spun out of strife to handball to Rioli, who felt pressure on his heels and knocked the ball Castagna's way instead of grabbing possession.

It trickled into the forward pocket, where Castagna feigned a kick and snapped a goal from the boundary line on his non-preferred foot. 

MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: The Saints appeared to get through the contest without any injury worries.
Richmond: It was the same for the Tigers, who ended their win with a full complement of players.

NEXT UP
Richmond heads to Metricon Stadium next Saturday to take on Gold Coast, while St Kilda will also be on the road, playing North Melbourne in Tasmania on Sunday.

ST KILDA         3.0       7.0       8.3       10.10 (70)
RICHMOND    2.0       6.2       9.4       16.7 (103)

GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Hind 2, Acres, Marshall, Long, Membrey, Parker,
Richmond: Stack 4, Chol 3, Lynch 3, Bolton, Rioli, Caddy, Ellis, Castagna, Graham

BEST
St Kilda: Marshall, Gresham, Billings, Clark, Battle, Ross
Richmond: Martin, Stack, Prestia, Chol, Vlastuin, Lambert

INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Richmond: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Power, Stevic, McInerney 

Official crowd: 40,962 at Marvel Stadium