St Kilda AFL coach Ross Lyon insists his champion forward Nick Riewoldt isn't carrying an injury.

The centre half forward hasn't been at his scintillating best in recent weeks and didn't have a major impact in the Saints 15-point loss to fellow finals aspirants Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

He was one of two players to kick multiple goals in a low scoring game, but was generally well held by Sydney defender Ted Richards.

Lyon refuted media speculation Riewoldt was carrying a knee injury and felt his spearhead did well on Sunday given the sporadic service he received from a midfield division he thought was "obliterated" and "annihilated" by the Swans.

"With more supply he would have been even more dangerous," Lyon told reporters.

"I thought Nick was pretty good today on limited supply, he's certainly not injured.

"I see the articles, I see (Matthew) Lloyd, I see (Paul) Roos, but guess what, they are just opinions.

"You've got to fill some column inches, so that's OK, but that goes with the scrutiny of being a champion centre half forward and that's what he is.

"To come up here today, on the end of that delivery, on a limited supply, two contested marks, six uncontested marks, two goals and one out on the full, I think that's a pretty good effort."

Sydney coach John Longmire described the effort of Richards on Riewoldt as "outstanding."

He also revealed his other key defender Heath Grundy played despite being informed by the team doctor late on Saturday night that the centre half back was poised to withdraw after feeling sick.

Longmire described as "enormous" the effort of his ruckman Shane Mumford, who tallied a massive 54 hitouts.

He said co-captain Jarrad McVeigh was incredible given the significant challenge he faced off the field with a sick baby daughter.

Longmire said video reviews might be worth exploring after Sydney midfielder Jude Bolton appeared to be denied a goal on Sunday, but stressed he didn't want the game to be unduly delayed.

"I'd be interested to see how much delay in the game it causes and I think that's the challenge," Longmire said.

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