St Kilda v Richmond, Marvel Stadium Saturday, March 29, 4.15pm AEDT

Last time: St Kilda 15.9 (99) d Richmond 7.9 (51), R22 2024

What it means

St Kilda quickly put a horror start and defeat in Adelaide behind it with a stirring victory in a thriller against Geelong even if it was left hanging on at the end. The Saints are turning Marvel Stadium and its typically fast deck into a fortress and will host the rebuilding Tigers having won seven of their past eight matches at the venue.

Richmond was always likely to endure a rollercoaster ride of a season but has already experienced the peaks and troughs after its shock win over Carlton was followed by a Port Adelaide reality check. The young Tigers might have to cling to small wins, such as outscoring the Power in the last term, with better starts likely to be a focus after only booting two goals in a pair of opening terms.

Game shapers

Rowan Marshall has shaken off a pre-season injury concern to return to his best as he gathered 29 disposals with 14 contested possessions as St Kilda held on for a rousing victory over Geelong. The Saints ruck is building an ominous connection with prized recruit Jack Macrae at the stoppages and could be due a bag of goals after failing to boot one in the opening two matches.

Kamdyn McIntosh is taking on additional responsibility as the fourth-most experienced player at Richmond following the departure and retirement of several premiership-winning teammates. The 30-year-old has always been held up as 'team player' but is now spending his time locking down on the opposition's top midfielders while allowing the young Tigers to play their own way.