ST KILDA'S slim hopes of playing finals this year are still alive but coach Alan Richardson admits it's disappointing the club no longer has control over its own fate.
The Saints moved to 11-10 for the season and now sit 10th on the ladder after an emphatic 49-point win over North Melbourne on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
Richardson's side is just outside the top eight on percentage with Essendon, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs also on 44 points.
Currently the Bombers are eighth, and with a far superior percentage, a win over Fremantle next week should be enough to secure their place in September.
While a finals berth for the first time since 2011 seems unlikely for St Kilda, it's not outside the realms of possibility.
They will need to beat Richmond at the MCG next week, and then hope that Essendon, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs falter at the final hurdle.
Five talking points: St Kilda v North Melbourne
"We know where we sit," Richardson said after the win over North Melbourne.
"We're disappointed that after last week's game we don't have control over our own destiny. It's more than likely that we're not going to make it so that's something that will burn with us and we would hope it would drive the group.
"In our journey together we haven't been (in) a position where we have been in control. It's pretty clear we need some performances that are unlikely to occur for us to get in. But what is important, is we need to make sure that we live up to our end of the bargain and know what we can control, and that was the performance against the Kangaroos, so that if the unlikely happens then we've done our bit. We've ticked one off, we've got one to go."
WATCH: Alan Richardson's full post-match press conference
Just after the half-way mark of the season, the Saints were 9-6 and looking to finish in the top eight, but things fell apart after their round 16 win over Richmond, and they lost three on the trot.
Richardson said he was still confident St Kilda had a list to move towards finals in the future, but acknowledged there was much room for improvement.
"There would be a lot of things that we'd look back on that we need to address," Richardson said.
WATCH: Silky Steven's stellar evening
"We won't lose sight of what's working for us and our strengths, we'll build those to another level. But there are areas that we've let ourselves down in.
"We'll leave no stone unturned to make sure we get that [improvement]. We're really bullish as a footy club with the list we've got. Like any club we'll look to bolster that group but this is going to be a really good footy team, we're not quite there yet, but we're heading the right way."
Looking forward to 2018, the Saints will be without champion forward Nick Riewoldt with the former skipper to retire at season's end.
The future of veteran Leigh Montagna is still unclear, but it seems more likely that he will also hang up the boots this year.
As for Sam Gilbert, the 31-year-old is out of contract, but Richardson said he expected the defender to play on next season.
"We need Gilbo to go around again," Richardson said.
"My understanding is that it's really close to two parties coming to terms but certainly my want is for him to go again."
Gilbert was unable to play out the game against North Melbourne after suffering an abdominal strain in the third term.
He is unlikely to be available for the Saints final home and away game against Richmond next Sunday.
