A calf injury to midfielder Lenny Hayes was the only downside for St Kilda in its NAB Cup semi-final at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Saints won by 71 points to qualify for next Saturday's final against the Western Bulldogs.
But St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, at his post match media conference, confirmed Hayes would miss the clash after sustaining a corked calf late in the second quarter.
"It's a corked calf, maybe the slightest of strains which upset me a bit, obviously - it took the gloss off what was a good performance, a weight-of-numbers performance," Lyon said.
"But regardless of whether it's a cork or a really slight (strain), he'll play Round 1, we're really confident of that."
Lyon said his players remained focused on the night despite the delayed start and insignificant crowd of around 3000 which were the by-products of damage to the stadium caused by Saturday's wild storms in Melbourne.
"It was like a ghost town," said Lyon.
"I rang the wife and kids and said don't come in, it's off at Etihad."
"It was a bit unique but mentally we were pretty strong to come out and start well."
Lyon said he was looking forward to next Saturday's clash which is a marquee match-up involving one of last year's AFL grand finalists against a top-four rival.
"We're excited to be a in a quality game and we stay in Melbourne before what should be a pretty full house, so there's a lot of positives if you exclude the Lenny hiccup," Lyon said.
"I think it's great for the NAB Cup, you've got two top-four teams in from last year ... but for us as a club it really is a strong, intense hitout going into Round 1."
Lyon confirmed Brendon Goddard and skipper Nick Riewoldt would return for the final after being rested against the Dockers.
Lyon said he wouldn't shy away from showing all of his cards to the Bulldogs in the final.
"I think we'll go pretty strong, but I think we'll have to balance up the risk versus reward at times."
"Each game throws up different things, so what the Western Bulldogs throw up next week, and we'll react to it, you don't necessarily the next time you play."
"It's not really holding back, it's just not put in front of you so you don't have to adjust to it."