Nick Riewoldt's attack on a marking contest left Will Thursfield limping from the field with a corked thigh, but only after a massive spray from the Saints skipper.

Thursfield lay injured on the turf at Etihad Stadium during the last quarter of Saturday's AFL clash as Riewoldt barked some personal criticism into the Tiger's ear.

"I probably didn't realise that he was hurt so badly," Riewoldt told Channel Seven on Sunday.

"I just told him maybe to keep his eye on the ball next time.

"But I went over after the game and we shook hands and I just checked how he was."

Riewoldt didn't feel Thursfield had tried to "tunnel" him by taking out his legs as the big forward leapt for the high ball.

"It's one of those situations where you're not quite sure to go or what to do in that situation. It happens pretty quickly," Riewoldt said.

"But we spoke after the game. He was fine."

Ex-Tiger Matthew Richardson defended Thursfield's actions in his side's 21-point loss to the Saints.

"He's coming back with the flight of the ball. There was no real intent there (to injure Riewoldt)," Richardson said.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he expected Thursfield would be fit to play against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

"He went back with the flight of the ball and big Rooey went straight through him, as every good forward does," Hardwick said.

Riewoldt, who resumed in round 15 following hamstring surgery, kicked 7.5 last week against North Melbourne and 3.3 against the Tigers plus 18 possessions and nine marks.

"I've got full confidence in my body at the moment, which is great," Riewoldt said.

"For the first month it was probably a little bit of a struggle, just running out the games."

Riewoldt, a five-time club champion, said he felt "pretty close" to his best form as the third-placed Saints prepare for Saturday's round-22 clash with the Crows in Adelaide.

"The last three weeks, the team form has been pretty good," the All-Australian captain said.

"When you're playing forward, your form is reflected pretty well by the team's."

Riewoldt said Justin Koschitzke, with five goals against the Tigers, was getting the rewards for his hard work throughout the season.

"He has had his detractors this year but we've said internally the whole way through that he is making us function," Riewoldt said.

Saints coach Ross Lyon said he had happy with Koschitzke's efforts all season, but perhaps the media were only now starting to get off the big forward's back.

"He has games where he hasn't kicked many (24 goals in 16 matches this season) but he has still worked hard," Lyon said.

"It's easier (for the media) to report on goals or marks than it is on team defence and competing."

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