SAINTS coach Alan Richardson is confident his captain Nick Riewoldt will walk out against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Easter Sunday.

Riewoldt left the field in St Kilda's NAB Challenge loss to Melbourne with a reported calf problem, but Richardson stressed in his final press conference the Saints skipper was removed as a precaution.

“The plan was for him to play 90 minutes or just close to that, he was just short of that," Richardson said.

"He just got a little bit tight late in the game – just general tightness. He’ll be fine."

Port Adelaide hosts St Kilda in the AFL's Opening Round on Easter Sunday 27 March with what should be a near full-strength side.

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