St Kilda have torn Richmond to shreds, bursting their bubble with a 67-point AFL demolition at Etihad Stadium.
The Saints played their best football of the season in the second term of the Maddie's Match fundraiser on Saturday night and won 21.12 (138) to 10.11 (71).
The Saints have won four games in a row for the first time since their most recent finals appearance in 2011.
It was also St Kilda's highest score of the season.
Saints coach Alan Richardson was rapt but stressed it was only a win.
"We can be a danger to any team if we play that sort of footy," he said.
By contrast, all the doubts about Richmond's bona fides are back with a vengeance.
Richmond's percentage, which will be vital given the tightness of the season, dropped from 112 to 105.
The Tigers held on to fourth spot, but only on percentage, as the Saints rose from eighth to fifth.
A week ago, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick was bullish about their style of play after a fine win over Port Adelaide, saying they were confident it would stand up in finals.
On Saturday night he was left lamenting a disastrous first half.
"They outplayed us in all areas," he said.
"Sometimes it's good to get a wake-up call," he said.
Hardwick bristled at a Tweet from commentator Kane Cornes, who said Richmond got ahead of themselves.
"I'd really love to see Kane," Hardwick said.
"Don't get me wrong, that's his job. He's there to write s*** comments."
Adding to a dirty night for the Tigers, captain Trent Cotchin was reported for a midriff punch to Jack Lonie in the first quarter.
Tigers defender Dylan Grimes was also crunched in a bump from St Kilda forward Tim Membrey, who will come under video review.
Leading by 24 points at quarter-time, the Saints hit top gear with 9.5 to a solitary behind in the second quarter.
At the main break, St Kilda led by a whopping 82 points and their score was 92. Before Saturday night, their average score for the season had been 88.
They had a game-high lead of 95 points late in the third term.
Saints veteran Nick Riewoldt had a big night, unofficially breaking the AFL marks record.
He had 12 on Saturday night and that took him to 2913, passing Gary Dempsey's 2906.
It was already an important game for Riewoldt, given the Maddie's Vision charity was formed two years ago after his younger sister died from a rare bone disorder.
Share
