Chris Judd will sit out Saturday’s AFL clash against St Kilda in Wellington due to a tight hamstring.

The Carlton champ has been a rare shining light in what has been a dreadful start to the season for the Blues, who have lost their opening three games.

St Kilda will also be without some big names through injury including captain Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna.

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Speaking before official confirmation that Judd would miss the round-four clash, St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said it would be a good result for his team if the two-time Brownlow medallist did not play.

“I heard something on the radio on the way here and put a little bit of a smile on my face,” Richardson said at Melbourne Airport on Thursday morning.

“That would be a good outcome … he’s been in pretty good nick.

“They’ve been great around stoppages and he’s been part of the reason.

“We’d take that if that was happening.”

The Blues will be well below full strength as they chase their first win of the season, with star defender Chris Yarran suspended and fullback Michael Jamison in doubt with a sore shoulder.

But the Saints also have their injury problems.

Richardson said it was unclear when Riewoldt would return from a calf problem.

“We certainly won’t take any risk – we want to make sure he’s really strong for us for as much of the season as he can,” he said.

Last year’s No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin was a last-minute addition to the team for the Collingwood game when Riewoldt pulled out.

“There’s no doubt we struggled in terms of connecting the back to the front half on the weekend without ‘Rooy’,” Richardson said.

“For so long, the backs have come out and he’s been the man who’s presented.

“The numbers against us in terms of entries reflected that.

“We’ll mix things up a little bit and Paddy will play again – he’ll be better for the run.”

– AAP