EXPERIENCED defender Sam Gilbert has labelled Paddy McCartin’s performance against Melbourne the best in his short career.

The third-gamer collected 14 disposals, took nine marks in the wet and pumped the ball inside 50 on six occasions – more than any player from the opposition team.

Speaking on Monday morning, Gilbert suggested McCartin displayed glimpses of Nick Riewoldt-like traits during Sunday’s 37-point win over the Demons.

“For Paddy to come out and take a few contested marks, but also bring the ball to ground when we really needed it, was so important for our side,” Gilbert said.

“He’s a bit like Rooey in that he has full stretch of his arms when he goes for his marks, which is really important for a key forward.

“He is really good at using his body and he reads the flight of the ball really well… It was definitely a breakout game for him.”

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Riewoldt has played 293 games since being selected with pick one in the 2000 National Draft. And while Gilbert said he expects the skipper to play on for a while yet, he also talked up St Kilda’s goal kicking prospects in the post-Riewoldt era.

“We have Josh Bruce, Tim Membrey and Paddy who are three really good key forwards,” he said.

“Hopefully those three can jell really well together and be a good forward-line for the future.”

Not since 2013 has Gilbert registered 20 or more disposals in two consecutive games. His 20 possessions yesterday came at an efficiency of 85 per cent, while his 23 touches in Maddie’s Match the previous week were complemented by an 83 per cent disposal rate.

He finished yesterday’s game on the bench with an iced up groin but expects to be fit to face Port Adelaide on Sunday.

“I just tightened up in the groin,” he said.

“I should be right for this week.”