Nick Riewoldt’s knee injury may be a thing of the past, says Alan Richardson

ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt’s troublesome left knee is in its best shape in years, according to Saints coach Alan Richardson.

Nick Riewoldt is playing some of his best footy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt’s troublesome left knee is in its best shape in years, according to Saints coach Alan Richardson.

Richardson said “things have changed” with the 33-year-old, who the club is hoping to sign on for 2017 in the near future after a blistering first seven rounds.

“Things have changed with him. His body is much better,” Richardson said yesterday.

“In particular, his knee is in really good shape. He’s pulling up really positively each week.”

As for why that’s the case, Richardson isn’t sure.

“I don’t really understand (why) — the doctors say that whatever it is that caused the swelling has burnt out,” he said.

“That doesn’t sound overly positive, but in this case, it is.”

The Saints face West Coast at Subiaco on Sunday, with Richardson warning his players they can’t afford to get off to another slow start, and is putting a particular focus on winning the ball at the clearance.

“We haven’t been great in first quarters. That’s not going to be good if we’re struggling away from home, in front of their (West Coast’s) crowd,” he said.

“Individuals have improved (at the clearance) but as a collective, we still haven’t been quite able to get it done. In particular, first quarters.

“(We) got smashed in the first quarter last week against the Kangaroos. We were good after quarter-time.

“It’s only small things, but things we can control and we need to improve.”

Originally published as Nick Riewoldt’s knee injury may be a thing of the past, says Alan Richardson