ST KILDA'S much-scrutinised "next generation" of midfielders is developing well, coach Alan Richardson says.

The Saints improved to 2-2 with a 14-point win over Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Seb Ross, Jack Billings and Jack Newnes all providing leading roles.

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Ross accumulated team highs in disposals (36) and clearances (five), while Billings and Newnes racked up 60 possessions between them.

The display came with triple best and fairest winner Jack Steven (punctured lung) out – but due back next week against Geelong – and fellow experienced on-baller David Armitage (groin) still limited.

"It was really pleasing in the absence of Jack Steven … to see Seb Ross play such a strong game," Richardson said.

"He's been able to go to the opposition's best and be able to work off them for most of this year and I thought he was really positive for us today.

"(Luke) Dunstan had moments, Newnes was really positive for us, Jack Billings played a really strong game for us in terms of both midfield and forward.

"That's good to see this next generation of midfield starting to have a real influence on the game, as opposed to it just being Dave or just being 'Joey' (Leigh Montagna) or just being Jack Steven."

St Kilda won the disposal battle (418-390) despite entering the match ranked 17th in the AFL from the first three rounds with only 353 per game.

Richardson ruled out the big numbers becoming a trend.

"At times we overused it, at times there was a bit of trying to take the sting out of the game, so there's a little bit of method stuff there," he said.

"We are generally trying to be a bit more of a penetrating team from an offence point of view; that is, look to go quick off our uncontested and certainly look to go quick off rebound."

WATCH: Alan Richardson's full post-match media conference

The errant goalkicking in consecutive rounds and losing differential against Collingwood in clearances (22-40) were areas of concern for Richardson.

"There's a bit of kickers and catchers – at times we're not quite getting the shots where we'd like to get the shots," he said.

"Collingwood missed some pretty easy shots too, so they would be disappointed, I'd imagine, in some of their missed opportunities, but we've been shooting from wide too often.

"We've been a bit rushed and some of our connect between our kickers and catchers hasn't been brilliant, but we've ended up taking over 20 marks inside 50, which is really positive."

Dumped forward Paddy McCartin, the No.1 pick in the 2014 NAB AFL National Draft, kicked two goals for Sandringham in the VFL on Saturday and could earn an instant recall.

But Richardson stopped short of guaranteeing McCartin a spot.

"We think long term, Paddy's going to be brilliant for us in front of the ball," he said.

"That's what we've drafted him for, so long term we think Paddy will definitely be a really strong part of our solution in front of the ball.

"I was at the (VFL) game and we had quite a few guys who performed strongly. Every player that we have who performs strongly at the level below comes into contention."