ST KILDA defender Jason Blake says Saints coach Ross Lyon will almost certainly stay with the club next year, despite interest from Melbourne.

The day after the Saints secured a home final with victory against Carlton, Blake told Triple M that Lyon assured the playing group he would not be taking up a coaching offer at Melbourne.

"He addressed it straight after and told us it was not true - we front up to all those things in the media so there is no grey area," Blake said.

"He was forthright in the commitment to the club."

It is believed the Demons had pitched a lucrative, long-term deal to Lyon as they attempt to lure an experienced coach to the club.

Meanwhile, Saint star Leigh Montagna says finishing outside of the top four will allow his side to approach this year’s finals series from a different perspective.

The Saints secured a home final after beating Carlton by 20 points on Saturday night, and face the Sydney Swans in an elimination final next Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.

Montagna told 3AW he believes the pressure is off the Saints, and the underdog tag may just suit them this year.

"I suppose the last couple of years we have been sitting ducks at the top of the ladder and everyone’s gunning for us," Montagna said.

"At least now this year we sort of get a free hit at the teams sitting at the top and maybe we can try to do it this way, but the boys are confident we’re playing our best football of the year at the right time."

Finals seemed like a distant hope for the Saints when they found themselves languishing outside of the top eight earlier in the year, but the Saints then produced an impressive form surge.

Montagna said much of the praise needed to be given to the coaching staff and playing group.

"It’s a pride amongst the group to dig ourselves out of the hole we found ourselves in and credit to not only the playing group, but the coaching staff as well," he said.

"We’re just really proud of being able to dig ourselves out of that situation, but I think the way the group has just galvanised and sat down and looked at each other and said 'what do we stand for, what do we want to try to achieve?'"