Richmond midfielder Nathan Foley played his best game since returning to the AFL as the Tigers demolished St Kilda by 64 points on Sunday night.
Foley was one of Richmond’s best with 23 possessions and two goals as the Tigers consolidated their top-eight berth with the 17.17 (119) to 8.7 (55) win at the MCG.
It was Foley’s seventh game back after the luckless midfielder returned in round seven from a long-term achilles injury.
While Tigers ruck-forward Tyrone Vickery was best afield with 11 marks, Foley’s steadily-improving form represents another piece of the jigsaw falling into place for Richmond.
They are sixth with nine wins after 14 rounds and are closing on their first finals appearance since 2001.
Richmond killed off the match with 20 minutes of outstanding play through the second term.
The Saints kicked the first goal of the quarter to reduce the margin to two points and were pressuring Richmond with hard running and pressure.
But the Tigers then kicked six goals to two points for a 41-point lead at the main break.
The ball rarely left Richmond’s half of the ground through the second quarter.
As the Tigers pressed, the Saints dropped away dramatically and lost the system that had made the first term a tight contest.
Tigers key forwards Jack Riewoldt, Vickery and Aaron Edwards all shone in the second quarter.
Riewoldt had plenty of chances to take the AFL goalkicking lead from West Coast’s Josh Kennedy, but he was wasteful with 3.4 and two out of bounds.
The Tigers star now has 40 goals, one behind the Eagles spearhead.
Midfielder David Armitage was best for the disappointing Saints with 25 possessions.