St Kilda midfield star Nick Dal Santo says the Saints' improvement this AFL season has resulted in him becoming a better player.

The classy, precise-kicking left-footer will be one of the keys as the Saints seek their second premiership in Saturday's grand final against Geelong.

His brilliant season so far has been capped by two stellar performances in their two finals victories.

It seems a long way from round 13 last season, when he and goalsneak Stephen Milne were dropped to the VFL, in a move by coach Ross Lyon and the St Kilda match committee that caused a major shock.

Dal Santo says that was an important wake-up call that he will never forget and one which helped him improve the team aspects of his game.

But he says even more crucial to his form this season has been the all-round lift in the Saints' performance and willingness to work for each other.

"Our greatest improvement this year has probably come through a collective," Dal Santo said.

"The 22 guys out there each week are obviously performing, but I think in the past we maybe haven't had everyone contributing (each game), I think this year it's been an even contribution.

"We speak about the midfield and ask questions about why my form's improved, it goes down to the group.

"The midfield group's been fantastic this year, the support, I think fitness has been a big one as well, pre-season was no injuries, which obviously helps this time of year.

"In regards to a special formula, I don't think there is one.

"I just think we understand our gameplan, we're working hard and things are starting to come together."

But Dal Santo said the demotion of Milne and himself last year was an important point in his career, and possibly for the development of the team.

"I wouldn't go too far and say Steve and I getting dropped is the reason the team's in the position it is at the moment," he said.

"But I definitely feel that for myself and probably Steve it was a good wake-up call and something we needed.

"To probably take a step back and realise what we were doing and where this club was heading and we wanted to be a part of it."

He said leading up to that moment, he might have taken his place in the side for granted.

"I wasn't going to games prepared like I should have been and needed to do things for the team," he said.

"I feel my game's changed, my attitude's changed for the team and with everyone contributing, we've had some pretty good success since then."

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