ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson insists Nick Riewoldt will be fine for the round one clash against Port Adelaide, downplaying fears the superstar suffered an injury late in the Saints' 24-point NAB Challenge loss to Melbourne on Sunday.

In his first hit-out this pre-season, Riewoldt appeared to pull up short in the final quarter when he turned to chase a loose ball.

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The Saints skipper went straight off the ground and down into the rooms and was later seen icing his calf on the bench, but Richardson dispeled any doubts over his fitness.

"The plan was for him to play 90 minutes … he was just short of that. He just got a little bit tight late in the game, just general tightness so he'll be fine," Richardson said post-match.

Riewoldt (10 disposals) split his game time between the wing and attack against the Dees, with high-flyer Josh Bruce (two goals), emerging star Jack Billings (three) and his small forward sidekick Jack Lonie showing encouraging signs in his absence up forward.

"I thought there was some positives with our front half, certainly at quarter-time. Both teams had had 12 entries, we'd had nine scoring shots and they had four, so that means things are working," Richardson said.

"I thought the guys showed a bit. There was a period where (Melbourne defender Tom) McDonald just marked the ball too often.

"If (Paddy) McCartin doesn't play, while our plan is to have Rooey (Riewoldt) play a bit higher, we might need to have Rooey play a bit more as a forward.

"But today was to give him the opportunity to play in the midfield and for us to create a bit of synergy with him there and to give Tim Membrey an opportunity."

Key forward Membrey had eight touches and took two marks in his first game back from a shoulder reconstruction, shaking off some rust like many of his teammates who butchered the ball going forward and weren't as sharp as the Dees.

Membrey is shaping as a round one starter after Richardson revealed it was unlikely former No.1 draft pick McCartin would be pushing to face the Power on Easter Sunday following a hamstring injury suffered three weeks ago.

"He's a chance (for round one). He didn't play in the VFL on the weekend and you'd prefer him to have a game, so it's probably less likely than likely, we'll just have to wait and see," Richardson said.

"From all reports he had a really strong training session (this weekend). He won't play a game this week, but Friday we'll do a fair bit of work on match (simulation) stuff, particularly given we missed a game last week."

Richardson said the Saints will build towards a solid session on the track this Friday before taking a few days off ahead of turning their attention to the Power.

Riewoldt aside, St Kilda's only concern from the loss to the Demons was a minor hand injury sustained by Jimmy Webster that might restrict him from ball-handling at training this week.