St Kilda confident Nick Riewoldt will be OK to play in Round 1 after pulling up tight in NAB Challenge

ST KILDA remain adamant captain Nick Riewoldt would play in Round 1 despite pulling up “tight” from his only game of the pre-season.

NAB Challenge, AFL : Melbourne v St Kilda Nick Riewoldt & Tomas Bugg 1st term Picture:Wayne Ludbey

ST KILDA were last night adamant inspirational captain Nick Riewoldt would play in Round 1 despite pulling up “tight” from his only game of the pre-season.

The Saints denied he had hurt his hamstring after he appeared to grab at his left leg early in the last term.

Riewoldt was appearing in his only game of the NAB Challenge, which Melbourne won in a 24-point victory at Etihad Stadium.

A host of young Saints put in strong performances but given a challenging clash against Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) on Sunday week Riewoldt’s absence would be massive.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson was adamant Riewoldt, who mixed time on the wing and up forward, was uninjured.

The star captain is due to play his 299th game against Port Adelaide before an expected Etihad Stadium celebration in Round 2 for his 300th club game.

Riewoldt ended the game with ice on his left calf, but Richardson said the club was not hiding anything.

“No, the plan was for him to play 90 minutes, or pretty close to 90,’’ he said.

“He just got a little bit tight late in the game, just general tightness. He will be fine.

“Nothing to do with his hammy, he is just a bit tight.”

Saints forward Josh Bruce flies for a mark. Picture: Getty

The Saints have 14 days to prepare for that game after their NAB Challenge game against Brisbane was cancelled last weekend.

They went winless in their two matches after an early loss to North Melbourne and will need to spend two full weeks honing their preparation.

Richardson said they would introduce some match simulation work to their training on Friday, aware they were desperate for the run.

“We will be better for the run, we were scratchy. We had moments where we played some reasonable footy,’’ said Richardson.

“To Melbourne’s credit they were sharper than us, they were able to hurt us. They created a bit of a gap and we were catching up from there.”

If Riewoldt was unable to play the Saints would be able to consider Patrick McCartin, who is over his hamstring issues of the NAB Challenge.

But he has not yet played a game upon his return, with Josh Bruce standing up as the key forward.

Jack Billings kicked three first-half goals and Jack Lonie was again exciting up forward, with the Saints winning the clearance battle.

But Richardson admitting Melbourne’s slick ball movement had created too many defensive hassles for his side.

St Kilda played two ruckmen with American rookie Jason Holmes working into the game, with St Kilda a chance to elevate him if he is to play in Round 1.

Jimmy Webster emerged from the game with a hand issue but Richardson said the injury was “nothing too sinister”.

Originally published as St Kilda confident Nick Riewoldt will be OK to play in Round 1 after pulling up tight in NAB Challenge