In an ominous message for other finalists, St Kilda insist they have more improvement to come after beating defending AFL premiers Geelong.

The Saints earned a week's break as they scraped through to the preliminary final following a controversial 12.11 (83) to 11.13 (79) win at the MCG on Friday night.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt said on Saturday the victory would provide the team with a serious confidence boost as they target a grand final berth.

"We'll review our own game but there's plenty of improvement for us to get out of last night for us, for sure," Riewoldt said.

"I think the self-belief will play a big part in it and obviously just the opportunity to progress and go straight through to a preliminary final is huge.

"I think the guys will take a lot of belief out of that."

Riewoldt said that while Collingwood and Geelong had been consistent pacesetters, St Kilda should not be underestimated.

"You can only go on performance and Geelong and Collingwood have clearly been the best two teams in the competition this year and that's indicated by the finishing positions on the ladder.

"But I think we're a really competitive outfit and there's not too many games we haven't been up to our necks in this year.

"We're always a chance if we bring our effort and our structures and we know our game plan is one that will make us competitive in most games," he said.

St Kilda snatched the win in the dying minutes when a last-gasp goal from Geelong's Cameron Ling was disallowed when a free kick was awarded against the Cats' Cameron Mooney for a push in the back.

"The circumstances there at the end were all a bit confusing to be honest." Riewoldt said.

"There was a stage there where I thought the opportunity had slipped us by.

"I was up the other end of the ground and saw the crowd go up and I thought it was a (Geelong) goal and was getting ready to set up for the next centre bounce.

"I didn't know how long there was to go but I thought we'd be behind at that stage.

"There was a bit of confusion for everyone involved but I'm glad the decision went our way."

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