Fremantle coach Mark Harvey will try to exploit St Kilda's weakened defence in Friday night's AFL blockbuster at Etihad Stadium.

The seventh-placed Saints were dealt a blow on Monday when key defender Zac Dawson was handed a one-match suspension for striking Gold Coast ruckman Josh Fraser.

Harvey hoped the absence of Dawson and James Gwilt (knee) would open the door for Fremantle's misfiring attack to find some form.

"They lost Dawson through suspension and Gwilt's obviously out of the side (with a season-ending knee injury). So their defence - if we can penetrate and make sure we get it in there the right way - then hopefully, we can exploit the situation," Harvey said.

"St Kilda's an interesting team. If you let them get in front, they tend to sort of control the game with their own tempo and sort of crowd your forward half once they get in front. So (making a strong start) early is important as to what we do."

Although the Saints will be bolstered by the return from suspension of skipper Nick Riewoldt, Harvey said he would have to keep a special eye on former Docker Brett Peake, who has hit top form since his recall to St Kilda's senior side in round nine.

"He actually played well against us last time. Looking back at his last six or seven weeks, he's probably in career-best form," Harvey told Perth radio station 6PR.

"I know there was a period there where he spent four or five weeks in their seconds side.

"The realisation of that is maybe he's put his best foot forward (since then), so it's a credit to him."

Harvey said ruckman Aaron Sandilands (toe) and midfielder David Mundy (leg) were likely to return for next week's home clash with Carlton, but former Adelaide big man Jonathon Griffin (hip) was still a chance to take on the Saints.

The eighth-placed Dockers are desperate to post a win to maintain a gap between themselves and ninth-placed Essendon in the race for a finals spot.

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