Richmond needed an eight-goal haul from Jack Riewoldt and enormous character to post its first win over St Kilda in eight years at Docklands on Friday night.
The Tigers led for most of the night, but the Saints threatened to produce a remarkable comeback victory when they came from 20 points down early in the last quarter to hit the lead with four straight goals.
But Richmond responded with three goals in time-on - two to Riewoldt and one to youngster Brandon Ellis - to surge clear and win 18.13 (121) to 16.17 (113) in front of 49,337 fans.
Riewoldt's haul continued his form resurgence, after he booted six in last weekend's win over Hawthorn.
It took him to top place in the Coleman Medal race with 31 goals for the season.
Midfielders Trent Cotchin (28 disposals) and Brett Deledio (29) continued their stellar seasons, Ivan Maric dominated against a depleted Saints ruck brigade and Steven Morris kept Stephen Milne fairly quiet.
"It's a relief," Tigers skipper Chris Newman admitted to Grandstand.
"It was tight all game and St Kilda are quality opposition, they never say die and they came back at us and hit the front.
"I'm just really happy with the resolve of the group.
"There's a huge amount of belief that we've got and ... I guess it's just another game and we've got to try and dust it off and play next week against Freo."
For the Saints, youngster David Armitage and veteran Lenny Hayes battled extremely hard in the midfield, Hayes having 16 second-half touches to try to drag his side over the line, while Brendon Goddard also had a big game.
Goalsneak Ahmed Saad was a danger man with three majors and Nick Riewoldt battled hard against Alex Rance to also kick three goals.
Richmond's win followed 13 losses and a draw in its previous 14 clashes with the Saints and lifted them to a 5-5 record.
With four wins in the Tigers' past five matches, including quality victories over Sydney, Hawthorn and now the Saints, it will raise hopes they can reach the finals for the first time since 2001.
Jack Riewoldt's big night included a spectacular mark over Jason Blake in the second term.
The Tigers twice looked to have the game in their keeping, when they pushed 20 points clear early in both the third and final quarters.
But the Saints kept coming, hitting the lead in the last term when Armitage, Nick Riewoldt and Jason Gram combined for four goals in a six-minute burst.
"You're always nervous - big games, big crowd, you're always nervous," Newman said.
"You're lying if you say you're not.
"But obviously the boys handled it pretty well.
"We let them score a few goals consecutively and they got back into the game, but as I said the resolve of this young group is really impressive and for a few of the leaders to stand up in that last quarter also is really pleasing."
But, after a series of close losses already this season the determined Tigers bounced back, with Jack Riewoldt sealing the win in his 100th AFL match.
Richmond: 18.13 (121) - Riewoldt 8, Edwards 2, Nahas 2, Tuck, Deledio, Maric, Vickery, Martin, Ellis
St Kilda: 16.17 (113) - Riewoldt 3, Saad 3, Gram 2, Armitage 2, Milera 2, Koschitzke, Milne, Dal Santo, Goddard
ABC/AAP
Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, richmond-3121, st-kilda-3182, vic, australia First posted June 01, 2012 22:42:28