AWAY from home and 31 points down at three-quarter time, Alan Richardson still felt like his St Kilda team was in the match.

After romping home with 5.3 in the final term while the Suns went scoreless, the Saints coach was relieved his players shared that belief.

Their 11.14 (80) to 11.12 (78) comeback win was St Kilda's first victory since round one and their first points since a draw with Greater Western Sydney in round five.

SAINTS SHOCK SUNS Full match coverage and stats

Speaking after the match, Richardson said his players went into the final term with some confidence in their ability to run the match out following strong finishes against West Coast and Sydney in recent weeks.

"Our group has got a lot of belief in their legs. Two weeks ago, we were in Perth against probably the best team in the competition, certainly at that stage … we kicked seven goals to one in the last quarter," Richardson said.

"When you have those sort of performances, it certainly adds to your belief. We think we're a good strong running group."

SAINTS BE PRAISED Five talking points

Richardson said the Suns' atrocious fourth-quarter performances in recent weeks (Gold Coast has scored just two points in the past four final quarters) didn't factor into his three-quarter time address.

"We spoke about the fact our last quarters have been quite strong," he said.

"We got beaten badly by Sydney but won the last quarter. I mentioned what happened the week before against West Coast, so we reinforced the fact we're a strong running group that in recent times has finished off games really strongly.

"That doesn't happen though if you don't win the ball and give yourselves an opportunity.

"We know Gold Coast are a really young group and if we could continue to put pressure on, then opportunities would open."

WATCH Alan Richardson's full post-match media conference

The Saints dominated clearances and possessions all game but couldn't find their reward when going forward.

The Suns put on five straight goals in the second quarter to jump out to a 31-point lead at half-time and the margin remained the same at the last break.

It looked like St Kilda was heading for another loss in what has been a disappointing season.

After having his position as head coach increasingly called into question in recent weeks, Richardson said he felt relief for the playing group and fans after the comeback win.

"My overwhelming sense of relief is for our group and our footy club," he said.

"I'm really pleased for the fans that came up and the fans back at home, and while it wasn't the most convincing victory, it was a victory full of character and wanting to do the right thing by their footy club.

"From that point of view, there's a bit of relief."

Richardson said there was lots to work on for his Saints, particularly bemoaning their delivery inside 50m, but said they would head into the bye buoyed by the win.

"There's no doubt to go into a break when you haven't won for a while, the boys are certainly going to feel much better than if we hadn't have got over the line," he said.

He said defender Jimmy Webster was likely to miss their match after the bye against Melbourne with an adductor injury.