MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Tim Membrey of the Saints reacts as his side leave the field after losing the round nine AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Former Melbourne captain Gary Lyon believes the struggling Saints must look further down their playing list as the season continues.

Lyon believes it's time for St Kilda to throw in the towel and begin experimenting and see if they can work toward developing young, unestablished players before the season is out.

President Peter Summers has stood his ground and still believes that his club is a top-four talent, but their performance to begin this season does not reflect that, putting up just one win and a draw in nine rounds.

“They’re [1-7-1], so the blokes playing now aren’t at the capacity, Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“The reality is, it’s past them. That tiny little window that was half ajar is gone.

“They have to play their list now and find out about them."

Lyon doesn't believe St Kilda have a season-changing player on their list and doesn't see them clawing their way back into a potential finals appearance.

“Looking at the list, who is the bloke who will say, right, I’ll lead the charge through performance and effort," Lyon explained.

“I had a good look at them, I’ve looked at their list, I’m trying hard for Saints supporters to find the positive, to find the on-field presence that will lift them and I can’t find it."