That chink of light that Richmond supporters saw last week was not a train coming towards them - as many had feared after innumerable false dawns - but a genuine beacon of hope.

The Tigers were beaten pretty comfortably in the end by St Kilda at Etihad Stadium last night - 38 points was the final margin - but they did pile on four straight goals midway through the third quarter to move within 12 points and give the grand finalists of last year a genuine fright.

Late goals in the quarter to Steven Milne, who finished with five, and Justin Koschitzke put paid to any Richmond thoughts of an upset, but it was exciting while it lasted.

In fact, there was much in the performance for Tiger supporters - yes, the ones we've got sick of describing as long-suffering - to hang their hat on. It showed that last week's win over Port Adelaide was no fluke, and we can now say with some confidence that they have bottomed out.

But before we go on, how good is Dustin Martin? His poise and strength and doggedness were - as the Channel Seven commentators pointed out - very similar to the traits exhibited by Joel Selwood in his first year at Geelong.

The Tigers' No.36 finished with 11 kicks and 13 handballs, and was never once overwhelmed or intimidated by the stronger, older Saints, to stamp himself as a definite long-term prospect for the club.

Little wonder the Tigers launched new contract negotiations with him after just six rounds this season; little wonder he won the Rising Star nomination last week and little wonder Greater Western Sydney has shown huge interest in him already. As well as a massive chest tattoo, he's got champion stamped all over him, too.

Jack Riewoldt finished with six goals - and it was his burst of three in the third quarter which gave the Tigers a sniff - as he saw off Jason Blake and then gave Sam Fisher a hard time. It capped a recent rich vein of form: he booted six against Essendon a couple of weeks ago and now, unbelievably, sits two off the pace in the Coleman Medal tally.

Captain Chris Newman was outstanding across half-back, repelling numerous attacks with superb reading of the play. While his team has floundered badly in recent seasons, his unflappable demeanour and leadership by example has been exemplary.

Shane Edwards and Trent Cotchin showed glimpses as well, while Jake King and Shane Tuck fared well against their bigger-name opponents, Nick Dal Santo and Lenny Hayes.

At the other end of the form chart, Luke McGuane, Robin Nahas and Mitch Morton had dirty nights. In fact, it was the only the lack of a decent crumbing forward - and Nahas was certainly not the answer last night - that prevented Richmond from really causing St Kilda a headache. As it was only Riewoldt and Andy Collins got their names on the goalsheet, kicking eight between them.

In the end, the Tigers were overwhelmed by the Saints' depth of talent and the understanding that has been forged between them over the past couple of years. In that time, Richmond has blooded 15 debutants, to the Saints' three.

Brendon Goddard, off half back, was the standout, while Leigh Montagna was productive in midfield and Milne, who kicked 5.6 from his 11 shots at goal, also took nine marks in the forward 50 to show Richmond just how you were supposed to play as a small forward.

While Martin is embarking on his exciting journey in the AFL, veteran ruckman Troy Simmonds bowed out of the game last night. He was gallant in his final match, finishing with nine touches and 14 hitouts, before he was chaired off by his teammates to rapturous applause from the Richmond faithful.