North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis is set to be scrutinised by the AFL’s match review officer after being reported for striking St Kilda’s Angus Hastie behind play.

Curtis was cited by the central umpire right on the quarter time siren in an incident that could see him given a ban.

He was in a scuffle near the goal line with Hastie as Nick Larkey lined up for goal with seconds left on the clock.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

In an act of frustration, Curtis appeared to swing a left fist into the throat of Hastie.

Given it was behind play, the hit is certain to be graded as intentional, and it collected Hastie high, which means that even if it is graded as low impact, it will result in a one-week suspension.

Medium impact would elevate it to a two-match ban.

Curtis was banned earlier this year for a dangerous tackle that had the AFL world up in arms after the club’s failed bid to have it overturned at the tribunal.

But his indiscretion in this instance would be far more difficult to defend.

Meantime, St Kilda are “up for the battle” for Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s future as their break-out star underlines his reputation as the most in-demand man in the AFL.

A week on from his last-gasp match-winning heroics in the Saints’ epic comeback against Melbourne, uncontracted South Australian Wanganeen-Milera was again the star in an 11.12 (78) to 10.9 (69) win over North Melbourne.

Wanganeen-Milera, in demand from Port Adelaide and Adelaide, had 20 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances and five score involvements in the first half alone and finished with 36 touches.

“For him, it’s exciting, for his family, for us,” Lyon said.

“And we’ve got a battle on our hands but we’re up for the battle.”

St Kilda fans at Marvel Stadium cheered every dazzling Wanganeen-Milera possession and held up signs reading, “We love you Nas”.

“If it’s me, I’ve got no heart, right, so it doesn’t affect (me), but hopefully Nas has got a heart, and hopefully it has an effect,” Lyon quipped.

“So look, I get the passion. We love the passion.

“It’s great to be talking, great to have a player like this that’s out of contract that we’re excited about, the comp’s excited about, and good luck to him, and good luck to us.

“I’m sure there’ll be an answer at some point.”

Wanganeen-Milera has kept his cards close to his chest.

“I was sorting that out with the club and my manager but just sort of going about my business playing footy at the moment. So that’ll come in due time,” he told Fox Footy.

Captain Jack Steele was “hopeful” the 22-year-old would commit but agreed his decision was a critical moment for St Kilda’s future.

“I’m pretty confident in the (list management) team we have in terms of Gubby (Graeme Allen) and SOS (Stephen Silvagni) upstairs and Ross, and I think Nas is a big fan of Ross and playing under him,” he said.

“So yeah, I suppose it is a very, very crucial part of our history to get right, but I’m confident in the people that are in charge.”

Mitch Owens injured his hamstring in the third quarter, and was replaced by surprise substitute Steele.

Lyon said Steele had battled with a sore neck, with the Saints managing his loads ahead of his 200th game next week.

On his return from a right knee injury, Nick Larkey kicked three goals but appeared to re-injure himself in a fourth-quarter aerial contest.

“Good sign that he was able to get back out there, but not such a good sign that he wasn’t protected in the first instance,” coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Kangaroo Zac Banch (ribs) was substituted at half-time.

North stars Harry Sheezel (33 disposals) and Colby McKercher (36) were prolific.

St Kilda led by 23 at three-quarter time but had to withstand a North comeback.

Cam Zurhaar kicked a goal with 96 seconds left to cut the deficit to three points, but the Saints held firm.

“We gave ourselves a chance, but at the end of the day, probably the fact that they were three or four goals up at three-quarter time just made it a little bit tough,” Clarkson said.

St Kilda next play Richmond at the MCG on Saturday while North face GWS in Canberra on Sunday.

- With AAP