Jake Carlisle's manager is unlikely to face punishment for failing to disclose allegations of drug use when he helped the player sign a lucrative new contract with St Kilda.

A tabloid television program on Wednesday aired grainy vision of the defender appearing to snort a line of white powder, just hours after Essendon reached an agreement to send Carlisle to the Saints.

Carlisle has apologised for his conduct without conceding any drug use and will return from his holiday in the US early to face his angry new teammates.

Reporters at Channel Nine's A Current Affair have insisted they contacted Carlisle's manager Anthony McConville on Tuesday to tell him exactly what would be aired in their program, but St Kilda CEO Matthew Finnis said the club was not aware of the footage until after the deal was done.