BELTED pillar to post throughout the week, the Saints sent out an SOS for a forward to ease the pressure on their inspirational captain Nick Riewoldt ahead of Friday night's clash with Richmond.

After a measly six-goal return in a dour one-point loss to the Cats last week, the microscope of the football world was squarely on who could step up and answer the prayers of the St Kilda faithful.

With a forward line boasting the talent of Riewoldt, Sam Gilbert and Stephen Milne, Saints fans could see a more attacking St Kilda line-up right from the opening bounce on Friday night.

Milne was the shining light for the Saints, but his return of 4.7 told the tale for the Saints in front of the big sticks in their total of 13.17 (95) - good enough only for a draw with the Tigers.

Despite being pleased with the start his forwards made, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon admitted to some frustration that his side couldn’t convert on the scoreboard.

"I thought we had a great start [but] we didn’t take the opportunities,” he said.

Carlton also discovered last week against Richmond that you cannot squander your opportunities; however, the Blues learnt on the run and survived against this young Tigers outfit.

With Riewoldt kicking three goals - despite not recording single stat in the third quarter - and Gilbert swinging from attack to defence to help out his under-siege teammates, the question of  'who will be the tall to support St Nick?' looks likely to be on everyone's lips for most of the year.

Ryan Gamble, Brett Peake and even Brendan Goddard all spent some time forward without the desired impact.

Take away the seven goals from Milne and Riewoldt and the Saints had just six in the majors tally - the same number of goals they scored the previous week.

Lyon has made it perfectly clear that he will try anything to find that winning formula.

"We’ll continue to bleed some kids in because we know that needs to be done," he said.

With the younger brigade of Rhys Stanley, Jack Steven and Nicholas Winmar all pushing for selection, and Justin Koschitzke set to return after a spell on the sidelines, the Saints have plenty to look forward to over the coming months.

A forward line containing the fit and firing duo of Riewoldt and Koschitzke - and with Milne and Adam Schneider at their feet to pick up the crumbs - will still give many defences headaches.

Thirty scoring shots against the Tigers is certainly a step in the right direction and you feel it is a matter of not if, but when the confidence clicks for Lyon’s men.

But with the injury to star midfielder Lenny Hayes, plus an upcoming encounter against an Essendon side they've struggled to keep up with in recent times, the Saints know that there's plenty of work still ahead of them.

And with that first win for 2011 continuing to be elusive, the pressure will only build.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.