ST KILDA wants the AFL to allow it to add a rookie to its list after losing recruit Jake Carlisle to suspension after the Court of Arbitration for Sport's imposition of season-long bans on 34 past and present Essendon players.

Saints CEO Matt Finnis said on Sunday the club would upgrade a rookie to the senior list to replace Carlisle but would like the opportunity to add another player as a rookie so they were not disadvantaged.  

He said the AFL was considering the matter. 

"Our focus is to upgrade a rookie … [but it] remains to be seen whether we will have another player to add to our rookie list in place in that upgrade."

Finnis also confirmed that the four clubs other than Essendon with suspended players on their 2016 list (St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Port Adelaide) believed they should not have to pay those players for this season.

He hoped the matter would not become bogged down in legalities and that the AFL, Essendon and the affected clubs could work to ensure a fair result for the Saints, Bulldogs, Demons and Power.  

"I think there has been enough legal action and it is time for people to come together and work these things through, and I am confident that will happen," Finnis said.

Suspended players received a further update on compensation talks on Friday at the AFL Players Association.

Finnis said the lack of clarity around what Carlisle could and couldn't do during his suspension remained frustrating but St Kilda would not do anything that might potentially lengthen his suspension.

"We have to make sure he feels a sense of belonging to our organisation, but that is difficult when there is still a fair bit of grey about what you can and can't do," Finnis said.

He said he remained confident that Carlisle would use the time productively to ensure he was a long-term contributor to the club.

Finnis said Carlisle should "use the time to think about how is he going to come back and be the best mobile tall defender in the competition".

The Saints CEO spoke while preparing to walk down St Kilda's Fitzroy Street under the club's banner in the Midsumma Pride March that recognises and celebrates Victoria's gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex and transgender community.

Joined by defender Sam Gilbert. who was taking part in the march for the third season is succession, Finnis said it was another opportunity for the Saints to show their support for diversity.

"It's important that the industry sends a really strong message of belonging," he said.

"[Marching] is a clear opportunity to send a message that everyone is welcome and everyone belongs at the footy, because the sad reality is that for many gay people they have not felt comfortable at the football, and that is not right, so we have to do what we can to change that." 

The Saints play a pride-themed match against the Sydney Swans in round 21.