ST KILDA midfielder Jack Steele has been dropped from the side to face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Luke Dunstan will come into the team.

Meanwhile, key defender Jake Carlisle is no certainty to play after copping a corkie to his left hamstring in the 57-point loss to Adelaide last week.

Saints coach Alan Richardson said at Sandringham on Thursday Steele had slowed after showing impressive form since being traded from Greater Western Sydney.

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"Jack Steele has gone out of the team. Jack's been really positive for us this year, just dropped off a little bit," Richardson said.

"Dunstan's form has been strong (in the VFL) so he'll come back into the team. With his energy and aggression, he'll certainly give us something."

If Carlisle doesn't come up for the game, Bailey Rice will be in the frame to make his debut.

Rice is a tough defender with impressive kicking skills, and the son of former Saint and Carlton player Dean.

However, Richardson expected Carlisle would be fit to help nullify Kangaroo talls Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown.

"Jake's had a week where he's had to get himself right. He copped a reasonable whack last week, but we're pretty optimistic still that he'll come up," Richardson said.

"We don't play until late tomorrow, so we'll give him every chance. He's out there now and he's moving much more freely.

"We'll pick him if he's 100 per cent, if not then we'll change that."

Fellow tall backman Nathan Brown will play after receiving attention on the sidelines against the Crows, when he had his left hamstring stretched out.

Richardson said it was "predominantly cramp" and that Brown had trained well during the week.

A knee injury to Paddy McCartin means he will miss at least one week, but six-time best and fairest Nick Riewoldt returns from his own knee issue.

Nathan Wright was left out to deal with a shoulder injury. Jack Lonie trained on Thursday and looks set to return to the senior side after impressive form at Sandringham.

There are fears young backman Hugh Goddard could miss the rest of the season with a right foot injury.