ST KILDA will continue to use Nick Riewoldt on the wing at times this year after he starred there in the Saints' remarkable second-half comeback against the Western Bulldogs last Saturday.

St Kilda was 55 points down against the Bulldogs after Jake Stringer goaled at the three-minute mark of the third term.

But with Riewoldt roaming further up the ground than usual, the Saints fashioned the equal-fifth greatest comeback in VFL/AFL history, with the skipper helping to supply Jack Billings, Josh Bruce and Tom Hickey in attack.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson told reporters on Tuesday that Riewoldt was still a potent force in attack and would continue to alternate between the forward 50 and the wing for the rest of 2015.

"You've got to remember there's been a bit of noise that with Nick out of [attack] it helps the other two boys, but the reality is that against Gold Coast Nick was predominantly forward and we were still able to kick a big score," Richardson said. 

"We don't really care who scores as long as the team scores.

"Nick going up on to the wing (against the Bulldogs) was much more about the fact that we couldn't get out of defence.

"I think we rebounded 14 per cent in the first half and we rebounded at 54 per cent in the second half, so not only is he able to draw the ball but he then makes really good decisions, so we'll continue to do that.

"He'll mix between playing high as a forward or playing deep."

Richardson said the Saints faced a "great challenge" to back up their comeback win against the Bulldogs when they clash with Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. 

The Saints coach said the Crows would be a good measuring stick of how much his team had improved since Adelaide smashed it by 86 points in round four last year at Etihad Stadium and by 79 points in round 23 at Adelaide Oval. 

"There was no doubt that what we were able to get out of the weekend was 'Righto, if we turn up and we're poor in the contest and we're not prepared to run and work for our mates then we're going to be pretty average'," Richardson said.

"The second half was a contrast: if we're prepared to do those things, if we're prepared to smack in and win the footy when it's our turn or put pressure on the opposition when they win the footy and then run and work for each other then we can be a pretty good team."

Second-year forward Jack Billings starred for the Saints against the Bulldogs, kicking an equal game-high four goals, including three in a match-winning last quarter. 

Richardson said Billings' desire to be "the man" when the game's on the line reminded him of Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard.

"He wants the footy in his hands when the siren goes and you're five points down," he said. 

"He's one of those fellas, the true forwards are quite unique that way."

But Richardson said he had been most pleased with the improved contested work and work rate Billings had shown against the Bulldogs.

"He's got some real class … but for him to win the ball late and mark the ball when we hit the lead was almost as significant as the scoring," Richardson said.

"He won a clearance in the third quarter that ended up being a goal to (David) Armitage where he had to smack in and win the footy, so those aspects of his game were as pleasing as his finishing."

Richardson also said veteran defender Sam Gilbert was "really close" to returning to the senior team after playing two of the past three VFL rounds for Sandringham.

A succession of foot injuries has sidelined Gilbert for all bar 15 senior games since the end of 2012.