It was about restoring an element of pride; a degree of respect for not only themselves but from the fans that have stuck by them as they've slid down the ladder after three Grand Final appearances in the past two years.
After a close three quarters, the game was up for grabs at the final change with just 11 points separating the two teams.
Fuelled by direction from coach Ross Lyon, the players put their heads down and "went back to basics"; they won the contested ball, got the ball inside 50 more often than their opponents and ran out 20-point winners.
The four points - their first set since their 13-point win over the Brisbane Lions in round five - was only part of the prize.
"We just wanted to get back and earn a bit of respect among ourselves and the players, and get back to playing some hard footy and the pressure footy that has over the last couple of years made us a good team," Adam Schneider said after the match.
"Today it was a little bit patchy again but it was step forward."
For Brendon Goddard, it wasn't just a drought-breaking result for his team.
Recently, he has left many wondering just why he has been playing so badly when his best is so good. His form slump has seen him fail to nudge the heights he has reached in previous seasons.
On Saturday, he broke the 30-possession mark for the first time since the drawn Grand Final, and finally showed glimpses of his blistering ability that has eluded him so far this year.
According to Schneider, Goddard - and teammate Nick Riewoldt, who has been in a similar position - is simply too good to have remained in such a slump for much longer.
"They're superstars of the game and they know how to deal with that sort of stuff," he said.
"'Rooey' is exceptional and 'BJ' is one of the best players in the comp so they're both fantastic at it and once they get out there, they just get down to business.
"They were good [on Saturday] but the whole team's performance has been down as well, not just those two personally.
"I think everyone stepped up that little bit today and that helped Brendon and Nick as well."
For Goddard, it was as simple as blocking out the bad and refocusing his energy towards something more positive than reacting to things that were being said.
"I've been battling away. I feel like I haven't been too far away each week," he told Channel 10 after the siren.
"Little things just don't go your way and it is funny how when things don't go your way you start to question everything.
"I just cleared my head of all the bulls---, just find the simple thing that made me a good player and made me a good player for the team as well."
Goddard added Saturday was about gaining respect back for the group, which he described as a "pretty proud bunch".
During the week, Lyon reaffirmed his commitment to the Saints and emphasised the amount of hurdles they've faced together as a group.
Schneider said hearing his coach speak the words the players were almost sure they already knew, "definitely" helped them before Saturday's game.
"You want the coach on the same page as the players and we knew that from the start, we didn't even bother listening to anyone in the media," he said.
"We knew what Ross was about. He's been with us the whole time and he's stuck by us the whole time.
"We've got full commitment and we're looking forward to the rest of the year."
