Richmond defender Troy Chaplin had the job of preventing what supporters flocked to Etihad Stadium to see on Sunday, and he almost succeeded.

He greeted his opponent Nick Riewoldt with a hug on an emotional day for the St Kilda skipper and then proceeded to keep him goalless for three quarters.

The crowd of 45,722 was the highest at an Etihad Stadium match this season, and they willed Riewoldt to kick a goal in the match set up to honour his late sister Madeleine.

VIDEO: Nick and Jack Riewoldt's post-game interviews on Fox Footy

In the opening minute of the fourth quarter it finally came and even Chaplin seemed happy to concede one.

"I think I've played on him every year throughout my career and he's one of the toughest opponents I've ever played on," Chaplin told AFL.com.au.

"Throughout the whole week with his calf injury, you wanted him to get up because of the context of the game, but at the same time he's a superstar and you wouldn't mind him missing.

"I know he hurt it a couple of times during the game with a couple of knocks, but he's got the smarts. Even when he was on one leg it was tough going."

VIDEO: Damien Hardwick and Jack Riewoldt’s post-game press conference

Richmond's defence conceded four goals in the first three quarters and appeared in fine shape, but things unravelled after Riewoldt's goal.

They conceded six unanswered goals under relentless pressure, with the Saints going into attack 15 times to the Tigers' eight.  

"It's just disappointing that we went away from what we did so well and the second and third quarters to give us that lead," Chaplin, who plays his 200th game next week, said.  

"You put yourself in a position to win, but if you don't do the fundamentals and worry about the process, you're not going to get the outcome.

"Credit to St Kilda for getting themselves back in the game but it was an incredibly disappointing last quarter from our perspective."