St Kilda is treating every game like an elimination final as they look to return to September for the first time since 2011, says mobile key forward Tim Membrey.

Mathematically, St Kilda can drop one of their last three games and still qualify for the finals, but realistically, the Saints must win all three to feature in the most important month of the year.

Membrey, who kicked the most goals at Linen House Centre last year and is level with Josh Bruce on 31 goals this year, admits the Saints are approaching this Sunday’s game against Melbourne as a knockout final.

“We do know how important, not just this game is, but the remainder of this season is to get us into the finals,” Membrey told reporters at a press conference on Thursday morning.

“We’re treating every game as if it is a final because we need to win them all.”

Ahead of St Kilda’s first game at the MCG since the penultimate round of last season, Membrey says the Saints have been instilled with belief after closing out a hard fought win against West Coast last Sunday.

“Last week gave the guys a lot of confidence winning a close one against a quality opposition. We’re going to look to have a solid session out here today and hit the ground running come Sunday,” Membrey said.

“The boys love playing in the ‘G, we’ve got a reasonably good record there. (There is) plenty of space and I’m sure the boys are itching to get out there.”

The last time the two sides met back in the opening round of this season, St Kilda burst out of the blocks before the Demons, in Simon Goodwin’s first game in charge, dominated the final three quarters to end the Saints’ 14-game winning streak.

Plenty has transpired since then, although not much more separates the two sides than it did at the start of the season. Both teams are parked on 10 wins, with the Demons one spot higher on the ladder in 10th due to a better percentage.

“That was a long time ago now, Melbourne are a quality side, they’ve got some really strong players through their midfield and all across the board,” Membrey said.

“We’ve got to be at our very best to get the job done against them. We’ve certainly looked at tapes so hopefully we can come away with the four points.”