While conceding that St Kilda is much stronger with Luke Ball in the line-up, midfielder Leigh Montagna believes the Saints don't need Ball to get past Collingwood in Saturday night's cut-throat semi-final.
The former skipper and 2005 best-and-fairest, who hasn't played since tearing a hamstring against Port Adelaide in Round 18, is set to undergo a thorough test at Moorabbin on Thursday afternoon in a bid to prove his fitness.
Montagna said that while Ball's return would give the Saints a huge lift, the team can get by without him.
"We don't need him," said Montagna of Ball.
"We would love to have him out there, he's obviously one of our terrific on-ball players, but we don't need him."
"We've won in the past without him and we can do it again but, fingers crossed, we're hoping he can get through training today and play."
Montagna noted that several Saints simply didn't 'stand up in the finals atmosphere' in last Sunday's 58-point loss to Geelong, and singled-out skipper Nick Riewoldt, who was held to just nine disposals and one goal, as someone he expects to rebound strongly this week.
"Some of our structural set-ups we got away from, and basically Geelong beat us in the contested footy," Montagna said.
"That's where the game really starts … and we know we can rectify them and if we get back to doing the basics we'll be back in the ball game."
Montagna said he agreed with coach Ross Lyon's assessment that the club had lost the respect of the football community with its sub-standard performance against Geelong.
"We were on a big stage playing the top team and obviously we didn't deliver so in some regards we do lose a little respect," he said.
"But we've got another chance to do it again in a week's time and that's what we're focused on now and looking forward to this week's game and the chance to earn some respect back."
As for what it will take to defeat the Pies who have won their past three clashes with the Saints, Montagna said: "There's no real secret to beating teams like Collingwood."
"We've just got to get our hands on the footy first, use the ball well and give our forwards a chance, and when they've got it, put a lot of pressure on them."
"They're good at doing that and they're a proven finals team."