Nathan Brown's suspension means fellow key defender Hugh Goddard will play his first senior game since mid-2016 for St Kilda on Saturday night against Hawthorn.

At the same time, the Saints are worried about Hawthorn's height in attack and coach Alan Richardson says that's why they've dropped Nathan Freeman.

After a horror run with injuries, Freeman finally made his senior debut two games ago.

"(Freeman) is actually a little bit stiff ... we think his footy has been okay," Richardson said.

"The Hawks are playing a pretty big front half and it just means that it's squeezed one of our mids out.

"Given (Isaac) Smith on the wing, (Jaeger) O'Meara, obviously (Tom) Mitchell, we have to make sure that strategically we have really strong match-ups."

Richardson added that Goddard had earned his recall.

Both he and Freeman are about to come out of contract, meaning the next couple of games are particularly important for their futures at St Kilda.

"His form has been outstanding, particularly in recent weeks," Richardson said of Goddard.

"It's been a challenge for him, initially physically, but certainly non-selection for a little while now.

"We're hoping a little like Lewy Pierce last week, that he can make the most of the opportunity - we're really confident that he can."

Pierce is another luckless Saint who is back in the AFL.

The ruckman played only his second senior game last weekend and was a rare shining light.

Now Pierce will take on Hawthorn star Ben McEvoy, who returns from the fractured cheekbone he suffered in round 16.

"It's right at the pointy end of the season ... and (McEvoy) is a welcome return to our side," said Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson.

Hawthorn are on a four-game winning streak that has cemented their finals return and will start warm favourites against the struggling Saints.

But Clarkson, like most others, is unsure about the Hawks' fate.

"Four or five weeks ago we came up against a side in Brisbane who we couldn't get the better of, so we're yet to actually find out where we're really at," he said.

Australian Associated Press