Although it was not the Saints' biggest defeat for the year - they lost to Hawthorn by 145 points in round seven - Richardson said the players' effort was well off the mark.
He said the club's first task was to win back some respect, presenting a challenge to his players to be more physical in their efforts to win the ball back.
Richardson held the team behind closed doors for 20 minutes post-game and gave "blunt feedback with respect to what's required when you turn up to play and represent the AFL team.
"That it was a really disappointing performance," he said.
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"Not only did we go through what were our objectives from the day's point of view, but also went through individually what was expected."
The Saints kicked its first goal in the first 15 seconds of the game through Maverick Weller, but only had two goals on the board at three-quarter time.
Although it kicked three goals in the final quarter to put some respectability on the scoreboard, it was too little too late.
"In terms of our ability to be able to get the ball back just through having a crack and digging in and finding your man and getting on your man, that was certainly the most disappointing," Richardson said.
The Saints took just two marks inside 50 and subbed off forward Tom Lee before half-time. Richardson said Lee's negatives had outweighed his positives so he had to be removed from the ground.
"If you're getting beaten at ground level but more than not you're catching the ball in the air and giving us something to kick to then you hold your spot in the team. If not, you potentially become a liability and you go out. That happens," Richardson said.
Having lost its past seven games (and past three by 70 points or more), St Kilda has dropped to the bottom of the ladder after making a promising start to the season.
Richardson acknowledged there was a danger players could drop their heads and confidence.
"We got smashed in the first quarter [so] there is a bit of potential for 'Here it goes again'," he said.
Hard work was the only remedy.
"It's a challenge to our players to pick themselves up and make sure they get to training and embrace what's asked of them and work their backsides off to ensure this sort of stuff doesn't keep happening. That's clearly our challenge," Richardson said.
The Saints resumes their battle for respect against West Coast at Etihad next Sunday.
"Not only did we go through what were our objectives from the day's point of view, but also went through individually what was expected."
The Saints kicked its first goal in the first 15 seconds of the game through Maverick Weller, but only had two goals on the board at three-quarter time.
Although it kicked three goals in the final quarter to put some respectability on the scoreboard, it was too little too late.
"In terms of our ability to be able to get the ball back just through having a crack and digging in and finding your man and getting on your man, that was certainly the most disappointing," Richardson said.
The Saints took just two marks inside 50 and subbed off forward Tom Lee before half-time. Richardson said Lee's negatives had outweighed his positives so he had to be removed from the ground.
"If you're getting beaten at ground level but more than not you're catching the ball in the air and giving us something to kick to then you hold your spot in the team. If not, you potentially become a liability and you go out. That happens," Richardson said.
Having lost its past seven games (and past three by 70 points or more), St Kilda has dropped to the bottom of the ladder after making a promising start to the season.
Richardson acknowledged there was a danger players could drop their heads and confidence.
"We got smashed in the first quarter [so] there is a bit of potential for 'Here it goes again'," he said.
Hard work was the only remedy.
"It's a challenge to our players to pick themselves up and make sure they get to training and embrace what's asked of them and work their backsides off to ensure this sort of stuff doesn't keep happening. That's clearly our challenge," Richardson said.
The Saints resumes their battle for respect against West Coast at Etihad next Sunday.
