ST KILDA midfielder Nathan Freeman may be playing football this weekend, but Saints coach Alan Richardson says Freeman won't be seen in the AFL for some time yet.

Freeman plays his first game since joining the Saints at the end of last year, lining up for the Sandringham reserves on Saturday morning at Box Hill City Oval.

"We would expect him to be in the VFL for a while," Richardson said after training at Moorabbin, as the Saints prepare to play Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

"He needs to make sure that he's at the speed and at the level before he comes into the AFL team.

"I wouldn't want to put a time on that but it will be an extended period – that would be my early call on how long he's there."

Richardson said Freeman has been in full training for six weeks.

"That's a bit longer than normal, but when you haven't played significant footy for two years… we went above and beyond in making sure he was right to go," Richardson said.

"He's been at top speed for a couple of weeks now."

Freeman re-injured his right hamstring last December, shortly after arriving at the St Kilda. It is the same muscle that gave him most of his problems in his two years at Collingwood.

He was limited to just two pre-season games and four VFL matches at the Pies.

The Magpies traded Freeman and draft pick No. 68 last year for the Saints' second-round pick this year and No. 63 in 2015.

Freeman, 20, is yet to play an AFL game after being drafted at No. 10 in 2013.

This is the first season of Freeman's three-year contract. 

Darren Minchington comes into the team this week, with Jade Gresham dropped after playing the first two games of the season.

Minchington, 22, has picked up a combined 62 disposals kicked eight goals in his past two VFL practice matches.

Richardson said the small forward was playing too well to ignore.

"He comes into the team with some really strong form. He's certainly earned his spot," Richardson said.

"(In the past) he's had some really strong VFL performances… but hasn't been able to maintain that consistency, often through injury."

Richardson noted Minchington played well against Geelong in round 21 last year, kicking three goals.

Minchington was originally selected at No. 65 in the 2012 Rookie Draft.