St Kilda's forward line is set to be shaken up under the helm of new forward coach Brett Ratten, according to Garry Lyon.

Lyon reckons Ratten will restructure the Saints' offence, opting to trial a key forward in the backline in the same vein as North Melbourne's Majak Daw and Hawthorn's James Sicily who had great success moving into defence.

“They’ll adopt unpredictability, not necessarily a traditional structure,” Lyon told SEN. 

“They’ll be prepared to throw it around.

“The challenge is he’s got Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce, Josh Battle and he’s got Paddy McCartin. You’re not playing them all in your forward 50.”

Lyon said McCartin would be the best option for a stint in defence, but said that all of the Saints' talls could be trialed down back.

McCartin was taken with pick No.1 in the 2014 but has failed to make a strong impression at the Saints, managing just 35 games in four seasons and kicking 34 goals. Lyon believes a switch of position could be the catalyst he needs to reinvigorate his career.

“You know my thoughts on playing halfback,” Lyon said.

“But for some people it’s like a light bulb. They go to the back half and they go, ‘Bang, I'm seeing it in a whole different light’.”