St Kilda's season might be coming to a close but coach Ross Lyon still says there is plenty to play for in the last home and away game of the year.
The Saints have never really reached the heights of their 2023 season, failing to make a meaningful impact on the competition, reflected by their highest placing of ninth in Round 4.
With the campaign all but over by the mid-season bye, Lyon relinquished control of their offensive game, providing new looks in the midfield and up forward in the absence of the injured Max King.
As a result, the club has taken down scalps Sydney, Geelong and former-finals fancy Essendon while increasing their scoring to a new level.
And now Carlton is in their sights, with the Blues required to win to lock themselves into a top-eight spot or face missing out on September action.
Lyon was adamant that the Round 24 fixture is just as pivotal as any game this season, with the club "laying foundations for the future".
"We're really looking to improve," Lyon said.
"Our mental toughness, our ability to never give up (last week) and give great effort and really push to improve our football, because it all counts.
"We've spoken for a while about laying foundations for the future, and that's where this week squarely sits."
Lyon said that the players don't need extra motivation to get themselves up for Sunday's game at Marvel Stadium, with the club very happy to play the role of the "Grinch".
"Our motivation is to improve our football to drive to the level it needs to be," Lyon said.
"Last week, against a team that was dog-hungry to get the win and that's what we face this week.
"And to progress in AFL footy, you have to overcome those challenges.
"We want to be competitive, and clearly, we'd love a scalp, but if you focus on the winning, and it doesn't get done, (it runs the risk of straying away from the process)."
Lyon admitted that, despite St Kilda's impressive 2023 run, when he took the job to become senior coach, it required a build both on and off the field.
The list is brimming with young talent, while a host of changes off field meant the club looked for stability.
The back half of the 2024 season has seen St Kilda play with more freedom than they did when the year was up for grabs, potentially leaving fans with a bittersweet feeling in their stomachs.
However, Lyon was confident that there were lessons learned along the way that would bid the club good tidings for 2025 and beyond.
"I don't look back with regrets," Lyon said.
"When I signed on, it was always going to be a period of building, on and off field, and building a team.
"The whole club needs to improve. That's the clear feedback.
"We have a clear understanding of the every aspect that club (needs to improve) to deliver that success.
"We feel that there's a lot going right."
The Saints will welcome back young midfielder Mattaes Phillipou to the fold, who will be thrown straight into the midfield.
Over the past few weeks, the Saints have opted to explore Zak Jones, Hunter Clark and Paddy Dow mix in the centre to assist captain Jack Steele as new looks going forward.
Forward Anthony Caminiti will miss the Round 24 clash, while Jack Hayes, Angus McLennan and Tom Campbell have been added to the 26-man squad.
St Kilda will release its final teams for Sunday's clash at 5 pm (AEST) on Friday.
