PADDY McCartin is confident he'll be "a lot better for the run" after struggling in his first senior game of the season on Saturday night.

McCartin, the No.1 pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, suffered a hamstring injury in the opening minutes of St Kilda's round one NAB Challenge loss to North Melbourne on February 20.

The key forward returned in a VFL practice match the Sunday before last, kicking seven goals in Sandringham's 24-goal flogging of the Box Hill Hawks.

But McCartin had little impact when he returned against the Western Bulldogs in St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt's 300th game.

With Bulldogs defenders Dale Morris, Easton Wood and Marcus Adams rotating between McCartin and fellow tall forwards Josh Bruce and Riewoldt, the former Geelong Falcon was held scoreless in the Saints' 57-point loss.

McCartin told AFL.com.au it had been disappointing not to perform better in Riewoldt's milestone match.

But the 19-year-old was confident both he and the Saints would bounce back soon.

"It was a big step up obviously from a VFL practice match last week, but I'll be a lot better for the run," McCartin said.

"I think we've just got to keep working together as a team and the more we can jel and play together the better off we'll be."

McCartin said there was a different feel to the Saints' forward line in 2016, with Riewoldt spending more time up the ground so that he and Bruce can develop a partnership inside St Kilda's forward 50.

"In terms of the pre-season, Nick spent a lot more time with the midfield group so that gave me, Josh Bruce, Mav Weller and those sort of guys a chance to lead meetings in the forward-line group," McCartin said.

"Nick is obviously still coming forward at times and playing on the wing as well, so he's being really versatile which is a good look for us."

McCartin said he and Bruce were developing a good understanding in attack after working together closely over summer.

But as excited as McCartin is by the prospect of playing alongside the former Giant over coming seasons, he remains determined to learn as much as he can from Riewoldt before the six-time club champion eventually retires.

"He is still teaching me lots and showing me little things that I can do on and off the field – he's been fantastic," McCartin says.

"The good thing about 'Rooey' is you don't have to be standing next to him and talking for 20 minutes to learn. You can sort of watch and observe and learn as much that way as well.

"He's been really good for me."