ST KILDA's confidence and self-belief continues to flourish following a 23-point victory over premiership contenders Greater Western Sydney on Friday night.

The Saints stunned the Giants at Etihad Stadium, turning a seven-point deficit at three-quarter time around with a six-goal final term.

In previous games this season against West Coast and Geelong, the Saints have fallen away in the final quarter, but Alan Richardson's men learned from their past mistakes, and rallied in the last stanza to deliver the club its fourth win for the season.

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The Saints smashed a declining Hawthorn side last week in Launceston by 75-points, but a win over the Giants is a huge scalp for St Kilda in its quest to make finals.

Richardson said the aggressive way the Saints attacked the final quarter showed just how much more self-belief his young side was gaining.

"It was a really positive result," Richardson told reporters.

"It won't hurt [our belief], we rate GWS, as the whole industry does, highly. They're a quality team.

"I think the guys have got a bit of belief, and the last quarter would reflect that.

To have our pressure high, to lay 25 tackles in the last quarter, to rebound at 50-odd percentage means that we were playing bold, aggressive footy as opposed to just trying to hang in there.

“That's probably been our go on the back of possibly not quite believing. There's no doubt that's growing." 

Richardson challenged his midfield group following its fadeout against Geelong in round five, and the Saints have responded in the last two weeks.

In the absence of star midfielder David Armitage, the likes of Jack Steven, Seb Ross and Blake Acres stepped up, earning praise from the coach.

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Acres in particular was brilliant in the final term with 10 possessions and two goals, while Steven was superb all game, gathering 29 disposals, seven clearances and kicking two goals.

"I'm really proud of those blokes in terms of the way they played," Richardson said.

"It's a tough caper AFL footy. We have to keep going. It’s only round seven. You're right it might be one of those games where we gain much more belief, but we have just got to keep going.

"We are confident the group is heading the right way."

St Kilda faces Carlton next Saturday at Etihad Stadium.