St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt has given his advice to one of the game's top emerging forwards.

The 336-game superstar has urged Carlton's Charlie Curnow to improve his positioning around the ground to help attract the ball and build ball-winning skills.

Curnow, who was praised all pre-season for his potential shown in a breakout 2018 campaign, has had an interrupted start to the season following a knee injury in round two against Port Adelaide.

Curnow returned last week against the Suns in his 50th game for the club. The 22-year-old booted one goal and amassed 17 disposals in the narrow loss.

Riewoldt's advice might be basic, but he wants to see Curnow position himself better and not get sucked up the ground.

"I just look at him in terms of ways that he can make life a little bit easier on himself," Riewoldt told SEN Mornings.

"Go and position yourself a kick away from the footy, wherever the footy is.

"You've got the athletic capability to do that ... and draw the ball. He's getting far too close to the kicker on occasions and almost making himself irrelevant."

Carlton battle with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday in search of their first win of the season.