Melbourne legend Garry Lyon believes that St Kilda should make a push to sign current Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, given his current contract limbo with the Hawks.

Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett told theage.com.au yesterday that if Clarkson is to receive a contract extension from the club, he has "got to earn his right."

And Lyon identifies this a major opportunity for the Saints to hunt the four-time winning premiership coach.

“If Alastair Clarkson was available, and it continues to go where St Kilda is going, they would be absolutely derelict, I think, not to explore a Godfather offer to Alastair Clarkson,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“Hawthorn is putting off Clarko until the end of the year. From now until the end of the year, if St Kilda is a strong, ruthless footy club, that want to extent their premiership tally from one, then they would absolutely be exploring that possibility."

Lyon mentioned that the "Godfather offer" that he predicts the Saints should offer to Clarkson is in the ballpark of "two million or two and a half million bucks a year."

Clarkson's contract will end with Hawthorn at the 2019 season.