St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has admitted his AFL side didn't play to win against Adelaide.

The finals-bound Saints refused to attack in the last quarter of Adelaide's 9.11 (65) to 5.7 (37) triumph at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

St Kilda scored just two points in the last stanza, with Lyon unapologetic for instructing his players not to get hurt in what he called a "dead rubber".

The edict came after creative backman Sam Fisher suffered a game-ending corked hamstring, giving Lyon a worry leading into a qualifying final against reigning premier Geelong.

No matter the result against the Crows, Lyon knew their next opponent would be the Cats.

"Certainly at three quarter-time, we wanted to take the tempo off the game and try and not lose anybody, so that probably diminished our chances of winning," Lyon said.

"But that is certainly not being disrespectful, Adelaide were on top.

"But there wasn't much point stretching the envelope as far as it could go because we certainly need to come home fit and healthy, and I think we achieved that, touchwood."

No matter the result against the Crows, Lyon knew their next fixture would be a qualifying final against be the Cats.

Adelaide, who will miss the finals for the first time since 2004, kicked five of the last six goals of a low scoring fixture to prevail.

Crows coach Neil Craig said St Kilda's lack of intent in the last quarter was evident.

"I didn't see a sense of urgency in trying to score," Craig said.

"I guess Ross ... (wanted) to get through the game, reduce the workload, so I understand that.

"I wish I had the opportunity to make the same decision - when you don't play finals, you don't have a choice."

The Saints, who had 75 more disposals than Adelaide for the game, rested goalsneaks Stephen Milne (ankle) and Adam Schneider (thigh) for trip to Adelaide.

Lyon said both were certain inclusions for their qualifying final.

"It's full steam ahead now, said Lyon.

"At the end of the day we are just excited to be in the finals ... it has been a long wait since last September, we are excited by the fact we have a double chance and have another go at it.

"We are relatively fit and healthy, if Fisher becomes okay.

"Expectations are we go in, play our best, compete in a really strong manner, try and play the footy we want to play and see where that takes us, that is our expectation.

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