Experienced St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert says the Saints can only control their own output as they pursue an unlikely finals berth in the race to September.

Sunday’s 71-point win over Carlton moved St Kilda to 10-9, two games adrift of eighth placed North Melbourne, with three games to play in the home and away season.

While still a mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals, Gilbert concedes the possibility is out of their control. All they must do from here is continue to win.

“It’s something out of our control unfortunately, but it’s good to be spoken about around finals. Hopefully we can keep winning and give ourselves every opportunity,” Gilbert said at a press conference on Monday morning.

“You never know obviously, but it’s out of our control. As a young group it’s great for the boys coming through to understand how much we want to play finals and it gives us a lot of drive to finish the season well.”

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Regardless of whether or not St Kilda returns to September, 2016 will be perceived as a year of significant progress according to Gilbert, who has played in 11 finals including the Grand Finals in 2009 and 2010.

“Obviously finals is what you play footy for, but we feel like as a club we’ve developed internally. As long as we can continue to develop as a club then we will give ourselves opportunities to make finals next year,” Gilbert said.

The Queenslander attributed St Kilda’s growth this season to the development of youth this season. Unlike in recent seasons, the Saints have relied less on the likes of Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and reigning best and fairest winner Jack Steven to get over the line.

“I think a lot of that (improvement) comes from the youth coming through. ‘Gresh’ and Acres played really well yesterday and that just shows the development as a club, where not relying as much on ‘Rooey’ and ‘Joey’ and Jack [Steven] at the top end. Having that youth come through has probably been the difference,” Gilbert said.

St Kilda has another opportunity to press for September when they face second placed Sydney at Etihad Stadium in Saturday night’s Pride Game.

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