The entire Saints' list, minus captain Nick Riewoldt, took part in the morning session at Seaford under the eye of Richardson and his assistant coaches.
Richardson was appointed as Scott Watters' replacement last Thursday.
Steven said he didn't expect the transition between coaches at the late stage of the year to be a problem and liked what he had seen so far from the experienced former Collingwood defender.
"He seemed really bubbly and positive. We haven't had a lot to do with him yet but looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season," Steven said.
"He seems like a really quality coach so I'm sure he'll go well with all the players.
"I think there's always excitement at the start of pre-season.
"Obviously a lot has changed around the club, there's a few new faces and I'm excited to be here and hook in."
Richardson spoke to the players briefly before Monday's session and was expected to further outline his plans for 2014 in the afternoon.
Experienced heads Steven, Jarryn Geary, Leigh Montagna, Beau Maister, Farren Ray, David Armitage and Lenny Hayes were among those who opened their pre-season with running drills in the hit-out.
Adam Schneider was also involved, which is a positive sign for the veteran who has endured persistent hamstring problems in the past two years.
New recruits Luke Delaney, Josh Bruce and Billy Longer took part in the session with the younger players while Shane Savage, who trained late in the season with Hawthorn, is being eased into things and didn't run at full pace.
Tom Curren, who will be elevated to the senior list with a late pick in Thursday's NAB AFL Draft, set the pace among the younger group.
He was given stiff competition by former Gold Coast player Maverick Weller, who looked a picture of fitness as a train-on player seeking a second chance.
Former Hawthorn rookie Carl Peterson is also training with the Saints in the hope of a lifeline but only jogged laps.
Forward Daniel Markworth, who is coming back from a knee reconstruction, looked in excellent shape while Sam Fisher was one of a few who trained on the second oval as he works his way back from mid-season toe surgery.
Steven said the majority of the group had come back from holidays in good shape.
"Lenny Hayes is looking good, Jarryn Geary as always leads our running and a lot of the younger boys, they've been back a week and a half but they seem to be flying, so it's a really positive sign," he said.
The Saints leave for Boulder, Colorado, next week for their 16-day training camp.
Steven said he felt the club's first foray into altitude training last year had helped, and he looked forward to another dose as well as bonding with Richardson and the new players.
"I've still got a lot to learn and I'll be hanging onto Lenny and Joey all pre-season, I think," he said.
"We're in a rebuilding phase so we want all our younger boys [to] start pushing the group and leading, as the senior core have done for so long.
"It's probably our chance to do so now and I think that's what we have to start doing."
Steven remains in contact with delisted forward Ahmed Saad, who the club continues to support as they await the outcome of his anti-doping code tribunal hearing.
There is still a chance Saad will be offered a rookie spot pending the result of the hearing held earlier this month.
Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan
