King on target as Saints edge closer to finals, sink Tigers’ hopes

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Max King didn’t wait until the final term to terrorise Richmond this time. Six King goals spearheaded St Kilda’s dominant 36-point victory over the Tigers at Marvel Stadium on Sunday as Ross Lyon’s men edged closer to booking a finals berth.

But Richmond are out of the running, and have now not won any of their past eight matches at the AFL-owned venue, a streak that started after former coach Damien Hardwick told anyone listening: “I hate coming here.”

St Kilda’s Max King celebrates one of his goals in the win over Richmond.Credit: Getty Images

The Saints feared King would miss the rest of the season after he hurt his left shoulder for the second time this year in July, but he returned last week and could be the difference in whether they play in September or not.

They need to win one of their last two matches, against Geelong (Marvel Stadium) and Brisbane Lions (Gabba), to return to the finals for the first time since the COVID-19-ravaged 2020 season. Saturday night’s showdown with the Cats could decide both clubs’ fortunes.

The Tigers’ interim coach Andrew McQualter finally moved Noah Balta off King – giving Tylar Young the job – after he kicked his sixth goal midway through the third quarter, with St Kilda already 36 points clear.

Balta afforded King far too much room from the outset, but a sloppy free kick when he was out of position in a marking contest proved the final straw. It was a difficult day for Balta, who also clumsily collected Jack Higgins high in the first half, prompting Rowan Marshall and Jack Steele to remonstrate with him.

Jack Steele gets a kick away for St Kilda.Credit: Getty Images

King went from zero to hero in the clubs’ round-three clash last year, booting all four of his goals in the last quarter to help the Saints erase a 25-point second-half deficit.

He was influential again, but there was never any real doubt about the result once St Kilda piled on five of the first six goals. They did so with the same combination of suffocating pressure and breakneck ball movement that has become their signature style in recent weeks.

Saints star Jack Sinclair amassed 12 of his game-high 33 disposals in that tone-setting opening quarter as he puts together another All-Australian-calibre campaign. Two of Jade Gresham’s three goals also came in that initial scoreboard assault.

There was a brief period either side of quarter-time when Richmond looked to be working their way into the contest – reducing the margin to 11 points – only for King to intervene.

Dustin Martin is tackled by Hunter Clark.Credit: AFL Photos

An accurate Marshall set shot stopped the Tigers’ charge before King chimed in with the next two, then missed a gettable chance for three in a row, again after marking uncontested inside 50.

Marshall was outstanding, collecting 25 touches, nine marks and four clearances to take the ruck honours.

Richmond never threatened from there, with St Kilda rewarded for a typically strong defensive effort.

Lyon would also be pleased with how many contributors he had, with the classy Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (27 disposals) barely wasting a possession, Seb Ross (25) returning strongly from a hamstring setback, and captain Steele (23, five clearances) also a good performer.

Off-season recruit Zaine Cordy also had a day out down back, repeatedly repelling the Tigers’ forward forays.

There was not the same spread for the Tigers, but Dustin Martin (25) and Jayden Short (26) battled hard in a losing cause. Daniel Rioli returned in the second half after suffering what looked a nasty ankle injury.

ST KILDA 5.0 10.2 13.6 14.9 (93)
RICHMOND 2.1 5.3 6.5 8.9 (57)

GOALS
St Kilda: King 6, Gresham 3, Phillipou, Marshall, Sharman, Owens, Higgins.
Richmond: Baker 2, Bauer 2, Riewoldt, Bolton, Taranto, Broad.
BEST
St Kilda: King, Sinclair, Marshall, Wanganeen-Milera, Gresham, Cordy, Ross.
Richmond: Martin, Short, Vlastuin, Taranto, Dow.
INJURIES
St Kilda: None.
Richmond: Rioli (right ankle).
UMPIRES Howorth, Whetton, Gianfagna, Young.
CROWD 31,119 at Marvel Stadium.

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