ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon does not believe Justin Koschitzke's five-goal performance against Richmond on Saturday was any better than his efforts leading into the game.

Koschitzke had only six possessions in the Saints' thumping victory over Port Adelaide in round 19 and, a week later, managed eight touches and two goals against North Melbourne.

Lyon said Koschitzke was "solid" despite a dominant first half in which he kicked four goals and troubled the Tigers' defenders.

"I think he did the same as he did in previous weeks - enough to retain his spot in the side and help make us function," Lyon said.

"He kicked a few more, obviously, but … he was pretty good against Fremantle [in round 12].

"I think he's had games where he hasn't kicked many but he's still worked hard.

"You only get disappointed if you set different expectations. Your expectations and mine are different, but clearly that happens a lot in the media, doesn’t it?

"It's easier to report on goals and marks than on team defence and competing, so that's probably it in a nutshell."

Lyon acknowledged the Saints played a more free-flowing brand of footy against the Tigers.

But he put it down to his team missing a number of experienced players, including Lenny Hayes and Michael Gardiner.

"With a younger group, and that blend changing, some holes open up more than we would like," Lyon said.

"But it's a really good opportunity to review how that happens."

St Kilda is expected to field a stronger side when it rounds out its home-and-away campaign against the Crows in Adelaide next Saturday.

"Hayes and Clint Jones and (Zac) Dawson and Gardiner will be certainly back next week with a view potentially to (Steven) Baker returning the week after," Lyon said.