St Kilda coach Ross Lyon insists his AFL players possess that special something and have put last weekend's humbling well behind them.

Although he conceded the Saints lost respect after suffering a 58-point hammering at the hands of Geelong, he said they were desperate to atone against Collingwood in Saturday night's semi-final.

"It's a critical game for us to go out and show our fans and prove to ourselves that the last 10 weeks of the season weren't a fluke, and that we can stand up under pressure," he said.

"We want to change the perception that's probably been taken of us about our ability to play good football."

St Kilda had won eight of their 10 previous games entering the qualifying final against the Cats.

One of those defeats was to Collingwood, who have beaten the Saints the past three times.

Lyon however was confident his group had learned from those losses, and was ready to answer another challenge.

"This group has got some special qualities, clearly, to win eight out of 10," he said.

"We were really disappointed after we played Collingwood last time (round 19) and we had to go interstate and win three games in a row, and we put on a good performance.

"We've had moments all year where we've been challenged.

"This is a resilient group, a proud group, and a confident group."

Lyon was adamant the poor showing against Geelong would have no bearing on this weekend's result.

He also dismissed as a potential distraction the exchange of words midfielder Robert Harvey and Geelong's Matthew Scarlett had after the game.

"This is an incredibly relentless business and players move on," he said.

"They see teammates go, every year 10 people disappear.

"They get challenged publicly by their coaches, and the press and their supporters. Week in, week out they get judged every session.

"So they move on very quickly.

"They couldn't even tell you about what happened four games ago.

"They're professionals who put it in the bin, they move on, they prepare for the next opposition because if you don't you get chewed up and spat out.

"We're bubbly, vibrant and why wouldn't you be?

"We're going into a final that gives you the right to go to a prelim ... there's 10 other clubs envious of our position."

Midfielder Luke Ball will be given until Thursday's training session to prove he has overcome a hamstring strain, as Lyon said the Saints would not gamble on anyone not completely fit.

"I've sat back over the years and you look at teams taking unfit players into finals and you just remember all the coaches saying they wished they hadn't done that and you learn from their experiences," he said.

"So we won't be taking anyone who won't be able to compete for the full minutes of the game."

Jason Blake, who can play both as back-up ruckman and a tall defender, injured his thumb against the Cats, but Lyon expected him to play the Pies.

Ruckman Michael Gardiner did well playing in the VFL last weekend, and could push for selection, although Lyon admitted it would be a bold move given the ex-Eagle last played in round 17.

But Fraser Gehrig is no chance of playing for the first time since round eight.

"I'm bold but I'm not stupid," Lyon said.

"Although that's debatable, isn't it?"

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