Coach Alan Richardson wants St Kilda burning over summer if they miss the AFL finals again.
The Saints honoured retiring legend Nick Riewoldt on Sunday with a resounding 49-point win over North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
The 18.19 (127) to 12.6 (78) win was Riewoldt's last home game and he kicked two goals in a dominating Saints performance.
Saints and North players formed a guard of honour as he was chaired from the field, before Riewoldt acknowledged the fans with a lap of honour.
But amid the happiness, the Saints know they have underperformed this season.
They aimed to return to the finals this year for the first time since 2011, but last week's loss to Melbourne means it is out of their hands.
St Kilda are 10th and must upset in-form Richmond next Saturday at the MCG, plus Essendon and West Coast must lose.
"It's more than likely that we're not going to make it so that's something that will burn with us and we would hope it would drive the group," Richardson said.
"In our journey together we haven't been a position where we have been in control. We had that last week and we lost it."
Richardson took the unusual step of coaching from the interchange bench and said it was his part of fostering better communication.
He will not do it again short-term, saying it was incredibly frustrating at times.
Richardson said his players were determined to honour Riewoldt.
"It was a big day for Rooey and a big day for our fans to come out, given this will be the last time he runs around out here and that wasn't lost on the players," he said.
"So with that in mind they're proud of their performance."
While the Saints were too good for North, they had a rocky start.
Jake Carlisle nearly pulled out at the last moment with a back problem and then was reported twice in a quarter-time melee for striking.
But North were faring even worse.
Daniel Nielson was stretchered off in the first quarter after he was concussed in a marking contest, one of several injuries that wore them down.
Ruckman Todd Goldstein had a welcome return to form, but he finished with a cut eye and a sore knee.
The Saints pulled clear in the second term, with Jack Steven (40 possessions) best afield and fellow midfielder Luke Dunstan also prominent.
Shaun Higgins and Ben Cunnington were best for North.
North's match in Brisbane next Saturday against the Lions will decide the wooden spoon.
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