ST KILDA is likely to be bolstered by prime midfielders Jack Steven and David Armitage for next Sunday's crunch game against Collingwood as both teams look to capitalise on their first wins of the season. 

The Saints won ugly against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Sunday and coach Alan Richardson conceded his team was beaten in the midfield battle without arguably their best two onballers. 

Full match coverage and stats

Steven has missed one match with a punctured lung, while Armitage has been sidelined for a fortnight with a groin injury, but both appear set to return against a rejuvenated Collingwood that will likely welcome back Jamie Elliott. 

"He's already done a bit of training, he did a 7.5km session I reckon it was on Friday (and) he's driving the doctors mad," Richardson said of Steven after Sunday's 31-point win against the Lions. 

"Dave is the same, he was pretty close this week. We'll give them every opportunity to be right, but the doctors are going to have to be really comfortable that they're right. 

"We certainly wouldn't take a risk, particularly with Jack given the injury."

The Saints and Magpies will each be aiming to square their seasons at 2-2 in next Sunday's clash at Etihad Stadium in a big match for two teams aiming to play finals. 

Richardson was wary of a Collingwood outfit that surprised the competition with a thrilling one-point win against 2016 grand finalists Sydney on Friday night. 

"They were really impressive and I think they have the potential to bring in some players that they might think would make them better," Richardson said. 

"Both clubs have been able to get their seasons started in terms of winning a game of footy, and we'd both take a lot out of the performances so we look forward to the game." 

The Saints will be looking for immediate improvement in front of goal after a wasteful performance against the Lions, kicking 2.6 in the third term on the way to a final tally of 14.23.

Usually reliable duo Josh Bruce (1.4) and Tim Membrey (1.3) were the main culprits, and Richardson said the evenness of the competition meant teams would not often get away with such wasteful kicking.    

WATCH: Alan Richardson's full post-match press conference

"If you don't make the most of your opportunities when it is you on top you're going to leave the door ajar," the coach said.  

"What are we going to do about it? We're just going to continue to work on it. 

"They're doing the work. If you do the work things will turn and I've got no doubt that will happen."

Richardson said he had sought an explanation from veteran Leigh Montagna for his time-wasting tactic in the final quarter after the defender stopped in the goalsquare and soaked up time before kicking a goal. 

Montagna had appeared to be taunting his opponent, but Richardson was assured he was taking an opportunity to soak up valuable seconds after the Saints regained momentum in the match. 

"I do need to explain the time that he hung on to the footy, because we don't like that as a footy club," Richardson said.

"We spoke about it after the game, but that's just how smart he is – he was trying to take up time given no one was closing from Brisbane.

"That's a reflection of how footy intelligent he is. It didn't look good, and we addressed that.

"In the same scenario, he'd do it again. We just didn't think it was a great look for the way we want to play, but that was not his intent."