St Kilda defeats Richmond by 36 points at Marvel Stadium

St Kilda moved into ninth place on the AFL ladder with a 36-point win over Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, reinforcing its push for the top 10 as it prepares for a demanding stretch against higher-ranked opponents. The Saints, still without midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera due to a calf injury, recorded a 16.13 (109) to 11.7 (73) victory after beginning strongly, kicking the first four goals to establish separation before Richmond reduced the gap later in the match.

The result came as Richmond entered the round already affected by injuries, with 18 players listed. The Tigers’ situation worsened further when defender Campbell Gray limped off with a hamstring injury in the second term. Richmond also faced a temporary setback when Nick Vlastuin was hurt in a contest in the third quarter, though he returned to the field during the game. The Tigers also indicated potential depth concerns ahead of the Dreamtime match against Essendon on Friday night, with their ability to select a full side dependent on player availability.

St Kilda’s early momentum was a decisive factor. After leading at half-time by 26 points, the Saints kept creating territorial pressure and converting it...