Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has put the heat on his team ahead of Friday night's AFL clash with St Kilda, saying several players are failing to meet expectations this season.

Malthouse refused to publicly name them, but suggested they included some of the higher-profile players at the club, saying there were some "handy names among them".

He said the club's past month had been poor and they needed to quickly turn things around.

"I don't know if it's a season-defining game at round eight but it's going to tell us a little bit about a few players," Malthouse said of the Saints' clash.

"To be 3-4 (win-loss record) we haven't played well and we may be on the last line with a few blokes that are just going.

"They're not just going because they're meaningfully avoiding training or (not) looking after themselves or acknowledging game rules.

"It's just that sometimes you can stand still and clubs will go past you."

Malthouse said he was unsure why some players were in a form trough this year, after the Magpies surprised the competition by making it to within a kick of a grand final last year with a mostly young squad.

"I've got a feeling there are a couple of blokes, three or four blokes, that have been very handy players for us that really haven't improved this year for one reason or another," he said.

"They are just as mystified as what I am, they really can't put their finger on why, they're still doing all the work.

"That means that either players have gone past those blokes or they just haven't been able to pick up from where they were last year.

"So that's a good test for them, a real good test for them.

"I'm not going to name the players, but there's some handy names among them."

Asked specifically about star youngster Dale Thomas, he conceded the zippy midfielder-forward was among the group he was referring to.

"Dale hasn't played as well as what he would like," Malthouse said.

"Again, it's not through effort, it's just one of those things.

"I'm sure he'll get out of it, he knows he's got to change his fortunes."

While not named by Malthouse, reigning best and fairest Travis Cloke and midfielder Dane Swan are others who have probably not lived up to the high standards they set last season.

Youngsters Harry O'Brien, Tyson Goldsack and Martin Clarke could also be among that group, with O'Brien and Goldsack finding life harder in defence in the absence of experienced pair James Clement and Simon Prestigiacomo.

The Magpies' cause this season has not been helped by a dearth of experience.

In addition to the retirements of skipper Nathan Buckley, vice-captain Clement and two-time best and fairest Paul Licuria, Prestigiacomo has not played all season with a foot injury.

The two most experienced remaining players - captain Scott Burns and key forward Anthony Rocca - have had limited impact.

Burns has been restricted to three games by injury, while Rocca has missed the past two with an ankle injury, after earlier displaying unremarkable form.

Rocca was on Thursday night named to return against the Saints, but No.1 ruckman Josh Fraser will miss with a knee injury sustained in last weekend's AFL Hall of Fame match.

The Saints have been badly hit by injury, losing Nick Riewoldt, Xavier Clarke, Matt Maguire and Steven Baker, but regained ruckman Steven King and veteran defender Max Hudghton.

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