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Speculation about Alan Richardson's tenure at St Kilda will continue after the Saints suffered a 33-point loss to Richmond at Marvel Stadium.

After a torrid week, St Kilda were better for longer but they had to settle for a fighting loss to Richmond instead of the AFL win that would help ease the pressure on embattled coach Alan Richardson.

Exciting duo Sydney Stack and Mabior Chol kicked four and three goals respectively as the Tigers broke their three-game losing streak and returned to the top eight with a 16.7 (103) to 10.10 (70) win on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

The Saints jumped out to an early lead and were only seven points down at three-quarter time before Richmond ran away with the win that improved their record to 8-6 and moved them into seventh position.

Speculation about Richardson's future reached fever pitch after last week's meek 56-point capitulation to Brisbane.

This effort was clearly better but it won't be nearly enough to shut down the conversation about the coach's future beyond this season, with St Kilda slipping to 14th with a 6-8 record.

"I think the outside noise and the impact it has on footy clubs is probably overstated," Richardson said.

"Clubs are pretty good on focusing on what they can control and understand that media are going to make a fair bit of noise about performance.

"What can we control? Clearly last week wasn't good enough, so that's basically been my focus."

Round 15 proved a tricky one for the pack of teams chasing Geelong.

The Cats tightened their grip on top spot, seeing off top-four aspirants Adelaide - 14.12 (96) to 10.9 (69) - on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium.

Second-placed Collingwood had a shocker on Saturday night.

Ben Reid limped off with a calf injury after just four minutes against North Melbourne and they kicked their lowest score since round five, 1995, in an upset 11.15 (81) to 5.7 (37) loss at Marvel Stadium.

West Coast dodged a bullet and moved into third place on Saturday when they escaped with an 11.11 (77) to 9.17 (71) win against Hawthorn at a cold and wet MCG.

Having trailed by eight points in an enthralling final-term arm wrestle, the Eagles willed themselves across the line, Jamie Cripps' third goal with just over a minute left proving decisive.

GWS dropped to fourth in controversial fashion on Thursday night, Essendon's Cale Hooker kicking the winner with 19 seconds left to secure a thrilling six-point win at Marvel Stadium.

The Giants led by a game-high 19 points in the final term but the Bombers rattled home with six of the last eight goals, including one that appeared to be touched, in a 12.5 (77) to 10.11 (71) win.

Brisbane jumped into fifth spot with a 15.17 (107) to 11.8 (74) win over Melbourne at the Gabba on Sunday, Eric Hipwood starring with five goals.

Sydney moved to within striking distance of the top eight with a 14.9 (93) to 7.9 (51) win over Gold Coast at the SCG despite losing ruckman Callum Sinclair to a dislocated shoulder.

The Bulldogs revived their finals hopes with a tenacious 10.6 (66) to 5.11 (41) win over disappointing Port Adelaide on a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Josh Schache defied the slippery conditions, his three goals helping the Dogs sneak within a win of the top eight.

Former Carlton skipper Marc Murphy kicked the winning goal inside the last minute as the Blues stunned Fremantle - 11.13 (79) to 11.9 (75) - at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Carlton climbed off the bottom of the ladder without young star Charlie Curnow, who left the match with a knee injury in the first quarter.