Tigers out to end Docklands curse in Saints battle

Richmond will be out to defy their supposed Marvel Stadium curse against St Kilda on Sunday. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

Damien Hardwick is long gone but Richmond's Docklands 'curse' lives on - at least for now.

The Tigers are winless in nine appearances at Marvel Stadium since their triple-premiership coach famously said he "hates" the club playing at the AFL-owned venue, claiming it lacks "soul".

Richmond's drought continued under Harwdick's successor Adem Yze in a 13-point defeat to North Melbourne last week, which left injury-hit Tigers in danger of being handed their first wooden spoon since 2007.

The Tigers have another chance to end the hoodoo when they host one of their rare home games at Marvel against regular tenant St Kilda on Sunday.

"We don't get to play there a lot and the facts are our results haven't been great there over the last nine games or whatever it is," Yze said this week.

"We openly spoke about it last week.

"A lot of our players like playing there and a lot of our players weren't part of those losses anyway.

"It's all new to them and we'll get an opportunity to go and play a good brand of footy under the roof on Sunday."

Adem Yze.
Coach Adem Yze says Richmond 'can't wait' to return to Marvel to play the Saints.

Incidentally, Hardwick also lost his first three games at Marvel Stadium in charge of Gold Coast this season - extending his personal drought at the venue to 11 games.

The 51-year-old enjoyed a near-perfect 19-1 record there as a player with Essendon and Port Adelaide.

St Kilda take on Richmond looking to rebound after an 85-point thrashing from the red-hot Brisbane Lions last Sunday, which coach Ross Lyon conceded had undone the Saints' positive work over the previous two months.

The Tigers are expecting a stronger showing from their opponents on Sunday.

"We'll be looking at the game before, where they touched Essendon up," Yze said.

"They play the ground really well, they're a strong contest team and we understand the way they want to move the ball.

"Ross will have them up and about for sure, after that performance they put up last weekend.

"We'll be expecting their best and we can't wait to get out there."

Richmond threw away a 23-point lead in a narrow loss to St Kilda when the teams last met - at Norwood Oval in Gather Round.

It has been a big week for the Tigers, who are coming to terms with life after Dustin Martin following the superstar's retirement.

Liam Baker (concussion) will miss at least the next two matches, while young pair Steely Green (ankle/toe) and Tom Brown (ankle/shoulder) won't play again this season.

Jacob Bauer, Samson Ryan, Thomson Dow and Kaleb Smith return to the team to face St Kilda.

The Saints have dropped Riley Bonner and Paddy Dow to make way for Hunter Clark and Ryan Byrnes, who have overcome injuries.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store