St Kilda assistant coach Steven King has defended their record this season against other AFL finalists but admits they could do with a big scalp.

Saturday night's MCG clash between the Saints and Carlton at the MCG will help determine the last piece of the top-eight puzzle.

St Kilda will confirm a home elimination final against the Swans if they upset the Blues but risk having to travel to Sydney if they lose.

The Saints have only one win against another top-eight side so far this year, beating West Coast in round 17.

But King pointed out on Thursday that they only lost to Geelong by a point at the start of the year and went down to Carlton by three points in round seven.

Carlton hold fifth spot and will start favourites against the Saints.

"We know we're around the mark. We just have to put together a four-quarter performance and that's the challenge, to beat a team above us," King said.

"If we do that, we've earned our right to be in the finals."

King concedes the Saints are lucky to make the finals, given their dreadful start to the season.

After two losing grand finals and then a tumultuous off-season, they only had a win and a draw this year after round eight.

But they rallied superbly in the second half of the season.

King said much of the credit for the turnaround should go to the players.

"Probably looking back at the season we've had, we're just really lucky and fortunate to be there," he said.

"It's been well documented, the things that happened in the off-season.

"I guess it just took its toll on the players, too, physically and mentally, getting so close the last couple of years and coming up short.

"But the players got together as a group and, collectively, they've been able to show that pride and character and spirit they've displayed over the last three years.

"It's been really driven by them as a playing group and it's been pretty impressive from a coaching perspective to see how they've got themselves back together."

King said the Saints are determined to confirm a home final by upsetting Carlton, who have won their past two games.

"Certainly there's plenty to play for," he said.

"It's huge, we'd love to play our first final in front of our fans at home and it would definitely be an advantage.

"It's extra incentive, but we just have to focus on the job at hand and that's coming up against a pretty good side."

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