ST KILDA could potentially boast its strongest line-up in an injury-plagued season for its elimination final against Greater Western Sydney.
Assistant coach Lenny Hayes said Seb Ross should return from his hamstring injury, while key forward Max King was managed for the Saints' round 24 loss to Brisbane and defender Dougal Howard is "touch and go" as he returns from wrist surgery.
The Saints were ravaged by injury earlier this year, but that has eased considerably of late.
"Over the last couple of weeks, we've probably had our strongest sides in," Hayes said on Thursday.
"Again, we think with the bye, Seb Ross should be fit and available and we'll go in nearly full strength."
One of the biggest boosts for the Saints late in the season has been having King and Tim Membrey working together as key forwards.
"Our young forwards have done an incredible job all year, but to get Tim and Max back together over the last couple of weeks, it looked really threatening," Hayes said.
Hayes is revelling in St Kilda's finals return, saying it is massive for the players and fans.
He is a revered figure at Moorabbin for his playing career and was a key figure in their agonising 2009-10 Grand Final near-misses.
Ross Lyon was his coach then and Hayes returned to the Saints as an assistant, along with former teammates Brendon Goddard and Robert Harvey, when Lyon came back this season.
"It's great for the club and it's great to be back involved," Hayes said.
"I just think about our fans as well, who haven't witnessed a home final for a decade.
"It's great for them to be able to rock up to the MCG and hopefully (we) get a really big crowd there. No doubt that can play a part in the game as well, just having the Saints faithful behind us."
Another ex-teammate Justin Koschitzke is also working at the Saints and the former players are enjoying watching Lyon in action at team meetings.
"Every now and again he'll say some things in meetings that bring you back," Hayes said with a grin.
"You have a bit of a chuckle. You look to one side, there's 'Kosi' and the other side there's 'BJ' (Goddard) and 'Harvs'. We have a bit of a giggle."
St Kilda rounded out its season with a 12-point loss to Brisbane, which would have been much worse had the Lions not sprayed their shots at goal.
Hayes said they were below their best, but are encouraged that they were still able to push a top-four opponent at the Gabba.
"All phases, really - contest, stoppage, attack and defence - we felt we weren't at our best," Hayes said.
"You look at it, that's exciting, because we pushed them.
"We felt we were well under our best. We know we're going to have to play better against the Giants."
Hayes also dismissed the MCG as an elimination final factor, given they play many more games at Marvel Stadium.
"It wouldn't matter if we played in the car park, we'd be ready to go," he said.
