It is a statistic that illustrates the gap between the old Richmond and the team they hope to become in 2013.

The Tigers have beaten Friday night’s AFL opponents St Kilda just once in their past 15 meetings – the last time they met, in 2012.

Early in 2011, they drew.

Before that, St Kilda had beaten them every time they played from round 19, 2003 onwards – 13 successive wins over the Tigers.

It coincided with a period in which the Saints were perennial finalists and the Tigers either basket cases or rebuilding.

Yet it’s a compelling statistic not lost on Tigers coach Damien Hardwick, though he now senses this is a match between two teams knocking on the door of finals this season.

“I think we’ve only beaten them about once in the last 10 times (sic) and they’re a good side,” Hardwick said.

“Guys like Lenny Hayes, (Nick) Dal Santo, (Leigh) Montagna obviously comes back into the side (after suspension) – they’ve got some very good players.

“They’re going to be thereabouts with us, pushing for selection in those 12 or 13 (teams) to make up the eight.”

Richmond go into the MCG match much fresher, having come off an eight-day break and a round one win for the first time since 2008.

St Kilda started their season with a shock loss to Gold Coast and enter the game off a six-day break, and with several of their players cramping noticeably towards the end of the Suns match.

The Saints have been forced into three of their four changes, with James Gwilt (knee), Farren Ray (hip) and Tom Hickey (foot) all missing out along with small forward Trent Dennis-Lane.

As well as Montagna, experienced defenders Sam Fisher and Sean Dempster and forward Adam Schneider return to boost the Saints.

The Tigers have rewarded some of their fringe-dwellers who missed out on selection last week, but produced quality performances in the reserves to keep the pressure on.

Ex-Melbourne player Ricky Petterd and key defender Dylan Grimes break into a winning line-up, with Ben Griffiths and Robin Nahas omitted.

But first-year youngster Nick Vlastuin – whom Hardwick rates the most AFL-ready draft pick the Tigers have brought to the club in his time there – misses out again.

Hardwick says that is because of the Tigers’ new-found depth, with seasoned recruits Aaron Edwards and Chris Knights also having to bide their time despite impressive reserves performances last week.