St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is confident star forward Nick Riewoldt will be fit to take his place in the Saints’ season opener despite missing the entire NAB Challenge series.

Riewoldt, 32, missed approximately two weeks of pre-season training while he spent time with family following the tragic passing of his younger sister in February.

Richardson said Riewoldt would be put through a rigorous training block in the lead up to the club’s round one clash against Greater Western Sydney to make up for the lack of match practice.