ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson says the club will know more about the seriousness of skipper Nick Riewoldt's calf problem over the next 24 hours. 

The veteran forward ended Sunday afternoon's 35-point loss to Greater Western Sydney with ice being applied to his calf on the interchange bench, having come off the ground during the final quarter. 

Richardson said the club would adopt a "wait-and-see" approach for the 32-year-old. 

"He is a little bit sore in the calf," Richardson told reporters after the match.

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"It is obviously only early. 

"We will see how he responds and how he pulls up." 

Riewoldt, who ended the afternoon at Spotless Stadium with 14 possessions and six marks, kicked an important goal in the third term that brought the Saints back to within 16 points of the Giants. 

The Saints captain had eight touches in the third quarter alone and was among several players who lifted after the main break to reel in what was a 40-point deficit just before half-time. 

Richardson said his simple instruction at half-time was to try to move the footy a bit quicker and therefore not allow the Giants to block up space up the ground. 

"That certainly paid off early," Richardson said. 

"We were able to kick three early but just couldn't maximise. 

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"That was frustrating. but it was pleasing that the boys were able to respond with the spirit in which they did, and they have been really good in that space all year." 

However, the rally was not sustained, with the Giants kicking the final three goals of the match to hold on for the victory. 

Richardson said the last quarter "probably summed up the game". 

"They were just better than us, they were tougher, they were much better in the contest, they ran a bit harder than we did," he said. 

The Saints will also be waiting for Monday's verdict from the Match Review Panel, with Billy Longer reported for rough conduct in a first quarter incident with the Giants' Lachie Whitfield. 

St Kilda, which drops to five wins and nine losses for the year, hosts Richmond next Sunday.