The emotion at the final siren was more than enough to tell the story.

But the drought is finally over, and St Kilda is through to its first finals series since 2011 after defeating Greater Western Sydney by 52 points off the back of a mouth-watering second half.

The Saints kept their opposition to just four points after the main change, locking away the 12.10 (82) to 3.12 (30) result to march into October in emphatic fashion.

Nerves in living rooms right around the country were through the roof at three-quarter time despite the five-goal lead, but when Max King converted and a brilliant Jack Lonie tackle gifted another to Paddy Ryder in the early stages of the last, the dream at long last started to turn into reality.

Jack Steele was at his absolute best with 19 disposals, 11 clearances and two goals to propel his side into finals footy, while Lonie (two goals), Dan Butler and a dominant Rowan Marshall (16 disposals, six marks, one goal) ignited the forward line at the right times to steer the Saints to victory.

The triumph more than likely confirms the Saints in sixth position on the ladder, which will have them them facing either Collingwood or the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final in two weeks’ time.

St Kilda opened each term in style – a brilliant Steele snap in the second through heavy traffic arguably the pick of the bunch – as their momentum built towards its unanswered seven-goal second half.

On the flipside, the Giants were left to rue their missed opportunities. Despite looking dangerous on the attack early and getting their hands on more of the footy though recalled skipper Stephen Coniglio (23 disposals) and Lachie Whitfield (28 disposals, 13 marks), couldn't convert when it mattered.

St Kilda's individual efforts across the board ultimately pulled the trigger on the Giants' slim finals hopes.

Lonie's forward pressure gifted two goals to bookend the game, Ben Paton put the clamps on dangerman Toby Greene, while a brilliant Josh Battle goal on the run got the blood pumping early.

The returning Dan Hannebery (13 disposals, 317 metres gained) also had a notable impact through his managed game-time, getting through his first hit-out since Round 5 without complaint.

St Kilda will find out its first finals opponent by Monday night. 

ST KILDA   3.3  5.5  8.9  12.10 (82)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY   1.5  3.8  3.10  3.12 (30)

GOALS
St Kilda: Steele 2, Lonie 2, Battle, Billings, Butler, Hill, King, Marshall, Membrey, Ryder
Greater Western Sydney: Lloyd, Riccardi,  Greene

BEST
St Kilda: Steele, Butler, Marshall, Wilkie, Ryder, Clark, Ross, Long
Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield, Coniglio, Lloyd, Hopper, Perryman

INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: De Boer (back) replaced in the selected side by Cumming