ST KILDA may have to work with an undersized backline for a number of weeks after Sam Fisher became the latest casualty in defence, suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday's 53-point loss to West Coast.
But skipper Nick Riewoldt is a good chance of returning after missing the game after suffering concussion against Adelaide last week.
Fisher, who had been in top form this season, injured the same hamstring that sidelined him for nine matches last season and had to leave the ground late in third quarter, coinciding with the Eagles' game-breaking run of goals.
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With tall defenders Luke Delaney (hip) and Sam Gilbert (soreness) unavailable against the Eagles, Fisher's injury left the team short down back and two men down after Jimmy Webster was substituted with concussion.
While Webster had recovered post-match from his hit, which was the result of friendly fire, coach Alan Richardson said Fisher was likely to face up to three weeks on the sidelines.
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"It wasn't really the talls that hurt us … but players become really conscious that we're a bit light on physically," Richardson said post-match.
"I thought our defenders for a big part of the night were really strong, they just saw too much action basically.
"You wouldn't want to do it too many weeks in a row, be that short, there's going to be a cumulative effect."
Delaney could return next week after being held out with hip soreness, but Gilbert is unlikely to play after he returned from a foot injury in the VFL last weekend and pulled up sore.
The Saints also face a wait on Riewoldt, who will this week meet with a specialist to discuss his return from concussion.
"He's really positive. He feels like he's right to go," Richardson said.
"There's been a bit of noise about blokes who have had quite a few later in their careers, but the reality is those people have probably struggled for quite a few weeks.
"I can understand there's real care and their intent is impressive. I think it's been a bit over the top."
The Saints made a slow start on Saturday, falling 37 points down at the first change before working their way back into the game with relentless tackling pressure.
While conceding his team had been beaten at the coalface through clearance specialist Matt Priddis and West Coast's ruck combo, Richardson said he was pleased with the way his players fought back into the game.
The Saints laid 33 tackles to 11 in the second quarter and won the clearances 12-8, kicking five goals to one as a result.
"We were incredibly strong with our tackle pressure and inside defence in the second quarter and that was pleasing that the guys were able to turnaround what was a disappointing start to the game," the coach said.
"(Nic) Naitanui and (Callum) Sinclair got the better of us in there giving their mids first possession, so that's an area that our young rucks need to improve on, that's where they're at.
"We just had to make sure we were much more aggressive with our tackle and to the boys' credit they did that in the second quarter and we were able to get the rewards on the scoreboard."
