AFTER a breakout year in 2016, St Kilda forward Tim Membrey knows he will need to continue improve to combat the attention he's likely to cop from opposition defenders.

Membrey entered last year having played 13 career games across three years with Sydney and the Saints and had just nine goals to his name.

He had spent much of the pre-season running laps as he recovered from a right shoulder reconstruction, but it proved to be a blessing in disguise, allowing him to build his tank.

And those results showed on the field.

He wouldn't play a senior game until round six but he immediately made an impact, booting five goals against Melbourne. 

Membrey continued that form throughout the season and finished with 44 goals from 17 games.

The 22-year-old spoke at Seaford on Tuesday and said he, along with fellow big men Josh Bruce and Paddy McCartin, needed to improve if the Saints were to make the finals for the first time since 2011.

"If we want to look to bridge that gap and want to play finals, that's something you've got to improve on. As a young forward line, we want to take those responsibilities and get better week in, week out," Membrey said.

Doing what worked for him last year will be how the forward deals with opposing teams putting more time into stopping him. Membrey was often able to play as a third tall, with his running power allowing him to push far up the ground, while his marking and kicking skills also impressed.

It was a tactic that worked for him in last Thursday's JLT Community Series win over Port Adelaide, when he slotted three goals and looked dangerous working with Bruce and McCartin.

"I'll just try to focus on how I go about things, working together with the other two talls down there," Membrey said.

"If I do get a bit more attention, I'll sit down with 'Sammy' (assistant coach Aaron Hamill) and we'll try to work through things."

Veteran Leigh Montagna had his right calf strapped after a strain but took part in some of training. The club hopes he will be fit for the final JLT Community Series match against Sydney in Albury on Sunday, March 12.

"He managed to get out there for the back of our session today and like always, was being vocal and getting around a lot of the boys," Membrey said.

Meanwhile, key defender Hugh Goddard did repeat running efforts along the boundary as he continues to rehabilitate from a torn left Achilles tendon. He likely won't be seen until the middle of the season.