St Kilda's Steven King could be rubbed out of AFL action for a month after the league's match review panel came down heavily on his off-the-ball shirt-front on North Melbourne's Sam Power.

The Saints ruckman was hit with a six-game suspension for flattening Power behind play at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and can reduce that to four games on the sidelines with a guilty plea.

Either way, unless he can beat a charge of engaging in rough conduct, King will miss the much-anticipated clash against Geelong in round 14, which would have put the former Cats captain against his old teammates.

The Saints and Cats are unbeaten after 11 rounds and could remain that way entering the July 5 blockbuster.

Essendon's ruck stocks also could take another nosedive, as stand-in Paddy Ryder was hit with a two-game suspension for engaging in rough conduct against Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield, but can reduce that to one game with a guilty plea.

Unless King successfully challenges the panel's verdict at the tribunal on Tuesday night, he will be the second St Kilda ruckman suspended in as many rounds, after Michael Gardiner was outed for one game for striking in round 10.

Gardiner is available to play Carlton on Friday night, when the Saints chase a 12th successive win.

The panel assessed King's actions extremely seriously, as it deemed his conduct intentional, his contact high impact and high on Power, who was left concussed.

The assessment drew 550 demerit points, but King's 70.31 carry-over points took the tally to 620.31, and over the six-game threshold, the biggest suspension of the season.

He can reduce that to 465.23 and a four-game suspension with a guilty plea.

St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison refused to comment on the Saints' plans, and said they would announce on Tuesday morning whether they would accept the penalty or challenge.

Essendon's ruck stocks look headed for more trouble, as Ryder faces a short stint on the sidelines, either through suspension or injury, as he is believed to have injured a wrist against the Crows at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Ryder's contact was deemed negligent, of medium impact and high on Dangerfield, and drew 225 demerit points, but he can reduce that to 168.75 points and one game by pleading guilty.

The Bombers are also yet to announce their intentions, but must weigh up their depleted stocks of big men, as David Hille (knee), Jason Laycock (foot) and Tom Bellchambers (knee) are all sidelined.

The Dons play bottom side Melbourne in the second weekend of the split round 12.

Port Adelaide's Nick Lower can accept a reprimand for striking Fremantle's Paul Hasleby at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

The Power's Toby Thurstans was charged with negligently making contact with an umpire, and can agree to pay a $1,950 fine, or risk being docked $2,600 if he challenges at the tribunal and loses.

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