Ben Cousins says he never expected to feel sorry for St Kilda tagger Steven Baker, who faces a massive AFL suspension, but he does.

Cousins said he had experienced first-hand at West Coast and Richmond Baker's tagging tactics, but thought the Saint had been harshly treated by the match review panel.

Baker was hit with four separate charges involving Geelong's Steve Johnson from last Friday night's game at the MCG, and faces a minimum suspension of nine games if he pleads guilty to all charges.

Baker will risk a 12-game suspension if he challenges the charges at the tribunal on Tuesday and is unsuccessful.

St Kilda will announce later on Tuesday whether they will challenge the charges.

"I never thought I'd see the day where I had a bit of sympathy for Steven Baker, but geez, he's been dealt with harshly," Cousins told Nova FM on Tuesday.

"I've been on the end of a couple of long days with Stevie Baker."

Cousins said in previous games Baker had hit him "early and often" and also pinched him in an attempt to be annoying.

"If it happened at a pub you'd just smash a glass over his head," Cousins said.

"I've run into Stevie Baker a couple of times off the field and he's the sort of guy you'd love him in your side and you'd hate playing against him.

"He's a big part of their side and I hate to see anyone out for that long."

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