A FAN has been treated by paramedics at Etihad Stadium prior to Saturday night's clash between St Kilda and Sydney after being struck by a football during the warm-ups.

The female supporter, seated in the Saints cheer squad, was struck by a ball that had snuck around the protective netting erected directly behind both sets of goals prior to matches.

She was treated by paramedics behind a makeshift screen for around 15 minutes, with the incident occurring during the preliminary warm-ups an hour before the game.

A stretcher was brought into the cheer squad, but was ultimately not required as the fan walked from the arena unassisted.