St Kilda continued to build its springboard for a top-four AFL assault, belting lowly Collingwood by 73 points at Telstra Dome.

The 21.17 (143) to 10.10 (70) win was a handy boost for the Saints' percentage, which is the best in the league outside top sides West Coast and Adelaide.

The Saints were sixth before the start of round 17, only one game behind a group of three sides.

While they face a solid draw leading up to the finals, they have just one interstate trip and that will be against erratic Fremantle.

St Kilda onballers Luke Ball and Lenny Hayes were outstanding and ruck-forward Justin Koschitzke continued his purple patch of form with 10 marks and five goals.

Stephen Milne and Brent Guerra also kicked four apiece for the Saints.

But St Kilda's extensive injury woes this season continued, with Xavier Clarke suffering a hamstring injury in the opening term.

Clarke has battled leg problems for much of this season, managing only nine games.

Fellow Saints defender Max Hudghton and Collingwood forward Alan Didak also had to leave the field in the second term after they collided, although Didak was able to return later in the match.

Collingwood kicked successive goals for the first time midway through the third term to suddenly take the game up to the Saints.

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