GEELONG'S Harry Taylor experiment is yet to produce a single goal but that doesn't mean St Kilda will be taking him lightly.

The two-time All Australian defender has played mainly as a key forward this season as the unbeaten Cats look to better capitalise on their inside-50s.

After nine seasons down back, Taylor has likened the change to fumbling in the dark in an unfamiliar room. 

St Kilda are nonetheless preparing to give him plenty of attention in Sunday's clash at Etihad Stadium, with Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown the most likely match-ups. 

"Whether he plays back or he plays forward, clearly he's a quality player that needs a quality player to play on him," Saints defensive coach Rohan Welsh said.

"We feel if he plays up forward, then we've got some players who can match up really well against him. Probably a Carlisle or a Brown matches up OK. 

"The most pleasing thing for our backline group is we're pretty versatile. We've got (Sam) Gilbert as well as (Dylan) Roberton that can play tall, so from that regard we feel like we can match him up pretty well when he's forward."

Former Geelong star Cameron Mooney believes it's no coincidence that Tom Hawkins (16 goals) is equal-first in the Coleman Medal tally, with Taylor taking some heat away from the spearhead. 

Mooney wrote earlier this week about how Taylor's presence in the forward line has allowed Hawkins to create more one-on-ones inside 50. 

But coach Chris Scott hasn't been afraid to swing Taylor into the backline when necessary, forcing opposition teams to prepare contingencies.

"He reads the cues really well, he's a good overhead mark and he sets them up from there as well," Welsh said. 

"We know that wherever he plays, whether it's forward or back, we need to have a bit of awareness of who's on him."

Rebounding half-back Roberton has been a standout for the Saints, racking up 32 touches and 12 marks during last week's win over Collingwood.

The Saints have also been pleased with the output from former Magpie Brown and Carlisle, who is playing his first season for the Saints after serving a 12-month ban over Essendon's 2012 supplements saga.

"We probably identified that Jake was going to take a little bit of time from his layoff, and every game he's slowly progressed," Welsh said.

At 2-2, the Saints are yet to fully hit their straps but will be bolstered by the return of star midfielder Jack Steven, along with Billy Longer and Darren Minchington. 

David Armitage is out with a groin injury, Jack Lonie has been dropped and Tom Hickey is being rested.