RICHMOND'S season of misery has taken a turn for the better after the Tigers held their nerve to notch a morale-boosting 44-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers failed to convince after quarter-time, but a six-goal to one burst in the opening term proved too big a buffer for St Kilda to overcome.

For all their industry and effort the Saints could never reduce the margin to less than 18 points when Cameron Shenton kicked truly at the four-minute mark of the third quarter.

Richmond restored some pride at Punt Road with its fourth win for the season, an 18.9 (117) to 11.7 (73) triumph before a crowd of 28,487.

"It's always good to win – obviously we (hadn't) had one for a while," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"(We) probably thought we played below expectations. St Kilda, to their credit, the second and third quarters I thought they actually controlled the game." 

Skipper Trent Cotchin set the tone for the Tigers after Hardwick turned the blowtorch on his star players during the week.

Cotchin booted three first quarter goals – finishing with a career-best five – and had strong support from 100th-gamer Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio and Brandon Ellis in the midfield.

Jack Riewoldt looked in ominous touch early and booted two majors in the first term, but was held goal-less after quarter-time by the much-improved Luke Delaney.

"Trent was outstanding at the start and Jack led from the front also, and Brett," Hardwick said.

"We've just got to maintain that consistency. The good sides, their better players perform week in, week out."

The win rocketed Richmond four rungs up the AFL ladder into 12th spot and the Tigers are now clear of the race for the wooden spoon.

But St Kilda's ninth straight loss was another blow to its chances of avoiding finishing last for the first time since 2000.

The gallant Saints remain rooted to 18th spot after slipping to 3-11.

Leigh Montagna, Shane Savage, David Armitage and Jack Steven hauled their side back into the game after the Saints shot themselves in the foot early.

St Kilda allowed the Tigers far too much space on the outside, with Richmond leading uncontested possessions 90-56 at quarter-time.

The Saints were eventually beaten 412-325 in disposals, 123-102 in contested ball and lost the inside 50 count 45-51, but they won the tackle count 76-48.

"Clearly the start of the game is a real message of intent and whilst our tackle pressure was OK, our ability at clearance to get first hands was average," Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

"They just smashed us on the outside. Their ability to get outside us when it got in tight was incredibly disappointing. 

"I thought second and third quarter we were much better in that area, but that was disappointing, absolutely."

When St Kilda did gain possession it often butchered the ball going forward.

So poor were the Saints that Alex Rance was able to pay scant regard to champion Nick Riewoldt and repeatedly dropped off the St Kilda skipper.

With Riewoldt held to just one goal, 50-gamer Rhys Stanley and sub Darren Minchington stepped up with two majors each.

They helped the Saints break even in the second term and win the third quarter by a goal.

But the Tigers blew out the final margin with their last three goals coming after the 25-minute mark of the final term.