St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has called on Rhys Stanley to regain his early-season form and take some pressure off skipper Nick Riewoldt.

The Saints host in-form Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon when they will look to arrest a three-game losing streak.

The Saints are coming off a 32-point loss to Carlton with Richardson admitting that his side needed more options inside 50 and was too reliant on Riewoldt.

The captain had 17 touches, seven marks and kicked four of St Kilda’s meagre tally of nine goals against the Blues.

Richardson said the other forwards, including Stanley, need to lift.

“If they don’t present and don’t work and have the trust of their teammates to kick the ball to them, it’s going to be too much kicking it to Rooey (Riewoldt),” he said.

“We understand why that happens because he’s a fantastic option given his history and that he works so hard and presents.”

Stanley, 23, has mirrored the Saints’ form, with a promising start to the season but dipping of late.

Richardson said the run of injuries to some of their more experienced players meant there was more pressure on players like Stanley.

“We need him to respond in a really positive way,” he said.

“Not only does it take some pressure off the other forwards but he’s been pretty significant in our better performances.”

Tom Curren, Clint Jones and rookie Maverick Weller are all options to try to shut down the Suns’ key man Gary Ablett.

“He presents a headache whether he’s on the ball or forward,” Richardson said.

“Curren’s done a pretty good, Jonesy’s done some reasonable work and Mav Weller has played that role for us predominantly at VFL level but he’s a chance to get a crack at him as well.”

Richardson appears to be running out of patience with defender James Gwilt, who was again disappointing against the Blues.

He said he expected more from one his most experienced players and that Gwilt needed to impress in their Friday training session to be considered.