ST KILDA is likely to delay making the final call on Seb Ross on Brad Hill as they nurse knee injuries ahead of Saturday night's clash with Melbourne.

Ross and Hill were hurt in last weekend's narrow win over West Coast and while scans have cleared them of structural damage, coach Ross Lyon is not 100 per cent certain they will play at Marvel Stadium.

"We think they're probably going to play - the scans are basically clear of structural damage, so it's probably a twist and a bit of trauma, potentially," Lyon said.

"We're quite optimistic, but we won't know until the back end of today, how they pull up."

Luckless Hunter Clark is also closing on a return after his round 11 knee injury against Hawthorn.

Hunter Clark at St Kilda training, June 30 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

The Saints and Demons will head into Saturday night urgently seeking form as they manage the dog days of June and July.

Melbourne is coming off an upset loss to GWS, while St Kilda had a massive scare against the last-placed Eagles before rallying in the second half.

After winning its first four games, St Kilda has not had consecutive wins since this season.

"We've been inconsistent, more probably within games," Lyon said.

"Have we been blown away? Against Adelaide we were ... other than that it's 20 points, 15.

"We've been in most games. But within those games, from a coaching perspective, there have been fluctuations."

08:26

Highlights: West Coast v St Kilda

The Eagles and Saints clash in round 16

Published on Jul 2, 2023

Lyon cannot fault St Kilda's effort, but is demanding better team defence and ball use.

"There has been some frustration," he said.

"Our ball use and team defence have been inconsistent, so we're really trying to button down over the next eight weeks - otherwise we are wasting time.

"But we've earned the right. I often just chuckle to myself - if we're fifth on the ladder, we've had our trials and tribulations, I'd hate to think some of the other coaches and clubs, their trials and tribulations have been."

Ross Lyon addresses St Kilda players at the three-quarter time during the match between West Coast and St Kilda at Optus Stadium in round 16, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Lyon also noted that when the whips were cracking against West Coast, his players responded.

"In a real sense, when the season was up for grabs, we delivered what we needed to against some really good opposition," he said.

"We take a lot of solace from that, but we need to find that form."