St Kilda key defender Jake Carlisle believes he has now earned the respect of the playing group after enduring a trying start to his career at Linen House Centre.

Carlisle didn't play at all last year due to a suspension for his involvement in the Essendon supplements saga, but has since played every game in 2017 and has gradually built form down back alongside Nathan Brown.

After keeping North Melbourne star Jarrad Waite quiet last week, Carlisle subdued tall Gold Coast forward Peter Wright at Etihad Stadium on Sunday and collected 16 disposals and six marks of his own.

The 25-year-old admits it has taken time to earn trust, but he has done so on the back of hard work and commitment to his football.

“I think I do now (have the respect of my teammates). I think it’s been a long year and a half for myself personally,” Carlisle told 3AW Football after the 31-point win on Sunday night.

“The club has been very good for me and obviously the players as well.

“I’ve just tried to work as hard as possible through the pre-season and the time I have had at the Saints and I feel like the hard work has paid off.

“I feel like the boys are trusting me now which is good.”

13 games into his career in red, white and black, Carlisle admits he found the pace difficult to handle when he first returned to the game earlier in the year.

But a recent conversation with former Calder Cannons teammate and dual Adelaide All-Australian full back, Daniel Talia, reassured Carlisle that even the best found the game had sped up over the summer.

“Obviously (I had) a slow start with the year off; I didn’t realise how quick the games gotten actually,” he said.

“Speaking to Daniel Talia a couple of weeks ago when we played Adelaide he even said it was getting quicker and he obviously played last year and he’s been playing really good footy.

“So it was good to hear that because I felt like I was battling at times with the fitness, but at the same time it’s the way the games going, it’s getting very quick and it's taking its toll on you.”

With Carlisle's form improving and his bond with Brown strengthening by the week, Carlisle and Brown both loom as vital components in St Kilda's push for a return to September.