At a glance:

  • Co-vice-captain Dougal Howard says St Kilda hasn't let thoughts of a late finals tilt creep in and distract its focus on improving its consistency.
  • The Saints caused a shock upset on Friday night, ousting the reigning Premiers by 40 points at the MCG.
  • Howard finished the evening with 21 disposals, 10 intercepts and nine marks. 

Co-vice-captain Dougal Howard says St Kilda hasn’t let thoughts of a late finals tilt creep in and distract its focus, despite a dynamic win against the reigning Premiers last night.

The Saints held Richmond to just two goals for the entire game – the Tigers’ lowest score at the MCG since 1927 – to record a shock 40-point upset and keep within touching distance of the top-eight.

But Howard says the Saints’ primary objective remains about bridging the gap between their best and worst.

“To be honest we haven’t really spoke about finals because of the way things have been going,” Howard told SEN this morning.

“It hasn’t probably been high on our radar (because) it’s just been about building our consistent performances.”

The Saints currently sit just one game outside the top-eight with a 6-8 ledger, but a lesser percentage of 82.1 has it towards the back of the logjam of sides looking to crack in.

Round 15 v Richmond
  • 06:37

    RD15 | Highlights v Richmond

    The Tigers and Saints clash in round 15

    AFL
  • 09:33

    RD15 | Ratten: 'A big step forward for our group'

    Brett Ratten was delighted his side finally conjured a complete performance but questioned 'why it took so long'

    AFL
  • 01:06

    'A pleasing four-quarter performance': Luke Dunstan post-game against Tigers

    Saints' midfielder Luke Dunstan spoke to STK Media following the Round 15 win over Richmond.

    AFL
  • 02:21

    RD15 | Dare Coach's Message

    Senior Coach Brett Ratten's message to fans following the Saints' Round 15 win. against Richmond on Friday night.

    AFL
  • 01:36

    'A dream come true': Leo Connolly on making his debut at the MCG

    Debutant Leo Connolly spoke to STK Media after our Round 15 win against Richmond.

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Team song: St Kilda

    Watch the Saints celebrate their round 15 win

    AFL
  • 00:42

    RD15 | Long lands soccer goal

    Ben Long conjures a clever goal for the Saints to extend their handy lead

    AFL
  • 00:33

    RD15 | Dunstan delivers a gem on his right

    Luke Dunstan adds to his impressive game with an outstanding goal on his wrong foot

    AFL
  • 01:23

    RD15 | King snaps truly

    Max King has started the game on fire for the Saints, kicking two goals and setting up another to do his confidence the world of good

    AFL

It would be a slightly different tale had St Kilda emerged on top in two of its most recent encounters, with wayward goalkicking and a final-quarter capitulation spelling deflating losses against Sydney and Adelaide respectively.

A hypothetical 8-6 tally would place them just inside the top-eight.

“The Sydney and Adelaide ones, look, they could hurt us later in the year which is going to be hard to swallow but it’s those sort of games that you can’t let slip,” Howard said.

“It’s such a tight competition and we’ve just got to be better in those close ones and get over the line in them.

“(Last night is) going to give the boys a lot of confidence, so who knows what could happen.”

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