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AAP
AAP
Anna Harrington

Saints eye Cats challenge after adding to Tigers' pain

St Kilda's Rowan Marshall turned in a super performance in the win over Richmond. (Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)

St Kilda will bank their 48-point win against a young, injury-decimated Richmond and quickly turn their focus to facing Geelong after condemning the Tigers to an eighth consecutive AFL defeat.

Already out of finals contention, the Saints were seeking a response to their thumping 85-point loss to Brisbane and delivered a 15.9 (99) to 7.9 (51) win at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

St Kilda (9-12) sit 14th while injury-ravaged Richmond (2-19) are last, behind North Melbourne on percentage, following their first game since club great Dustin Martin's retirement.

"Take the win and move on, really, I would think," coach Ross Lyon said. 

"We play a really good team next week in Geelong. They're (Richmond) a young developing team, probably end of an era with Dusty going, and they're resetting. 

"So yeah, we did what we needed to do.

"Bit of a unique game. It was like a bit of circle work, I think. But Geelong won't let us play circle work next week.

"We're looking forward to the challenge of stepping up next week."

Tim Membrey.
Tim Membrey soared for the Saints, with three goals. (Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)

The victory also ensured St Kilda's week ended on a high, having faced scrutiny and backlash following talent manager Graeme Allan's meeting with disgraced ex-North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas.

On Friday, the Saints confirmed they would not recruit Thomas, after Lyon had earlier refused to answer questions about him.

Lyon was evasive again when asked about Thomas post-match

"Look, I'm in the Tardis, right? So I've gone back in time, Doctor Who, I'm back in time, I'm back on Friday and the statement was released, and I'll refer you to the statement. I think that says enough," Lyon said.

On Sunday, Rowan Marshall took on Toby Nankervis and kicked three goals, along with registering 25 hit-outs, 11 marks and 23 disposals.

Jack Sinclair (29 touches) was prolific alongside defender Josh Battle (28 disposals, nine marks), while Tim Membrey kicked three goals.

Brad Hill.
Brad Hill was among the Saints' best, with 21 disposals and 472 metres gained. (Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)

Richmond gun Daniel Rioli (36 disposals, 10 marks) was a shining light.

Saint Mattaes Phillipou (illness) withdrew before the first bounce, with midfielder Paddy Dow recalled.

St Kilda led by six at quarter-time and 14 at the main break, but streaked away by kicking the final six goals of the game.

"We're bitterly disappointed with that performance," Richmond coach Adem Yze said, noting a failure to capitalise on a strong start, while lamenting the Tigers' team defence.

"We've got some young players playing in different positions and we've got a young forward line so part of our defence is battling just through synergy.

"But to give up (136) marks, we knew that they were going to come into the game and try and test our defence and it was death by 1000 cuts in the end.

"We lost a lot of energy just defending so we didn't have enough energy to use on offence."

Richmond players looking dejected.
Richmond appear destined for their first wooden spoon since 2007 after being hammered by the Saints. (Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)

Richmond next play Hawthorn, then Gold Coast, at the MCG.

A decision on whether Tom Lynch (hamstring) returns will be made later next week.

"He's going to have a full week of training and I doubt whether he's going to be available for the Hawthorn game anyway," Yze said. 

"So we'll make that decision on whether he comes back for that one game and it will be a collaborative decision."

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