When the boys in red, white and black bellowed out those famous words on Saturday night, 36 quarters of football had elapsed since last singing the song.

After a week of football-wide media scrutiny, the under-fire Saints looked like succumbing to external pressure and once again leaving the field empty-handed.

The Suns had the early running of the game, with St Kilda’s lack of confidence and overuse of the football penning the script for a similar story.

At three-quarter time, the Saints found themselves in an unprecedented position: 31 points down to a side coming off back-to-back thrashings.

WATCH: Saints sing it loud

St Kilda’s scoreboard woes were further compounded as in-form defender Jimmy Webster and promising youngster Bailey Rice were both forced from the field through injury.

St Kilda had been backed into a corner, but that’s when it turned.

Down on confidence, the scoreboard and in player numbers, St Kilda, bruised but not yet beaten, decided to fight its way out.

In recent weeks, the Suns’ final terms have exposed a vulnerability, and it was again the case on Saturday night as the surging Saints kept the home side goalless.

In one of the most miraculous comebacks St Kilda fans have witnessed in years, the wounded Saints piled on five unanswered goals to overrun an unsuspecting Gold Coast.

Majors to Josh Battle, Paddy McCartin, Tim Membrey and Daniel McKenzie brought the margin to within five points with three minutes on the clock.

As Alan Richardson’s side willed the ball forward and pressure mounted on the fading Suns, Billy Longer thumped a ball wide into the pocket from a ball-up, and all eyes turned to one man.

Jade Gresham ran onto the loose ball, gathered cleanly and without breaking stride, threw the ball onto his boot and curled it through the big sticks to regain the lead for the first time since the opening term.

With a sole minute remaining, St Kilda’s desperation for an elusive win was clear.

At the ensuing centre bounce, midfield duo Jack Steele and Seb Ross lunged at the Suns’ Will Powell to create another stoppage.

As the seconds ticked down, the reality began to sink in, before an explosion of elation on the final siren resonated across the club, and was felt by Saints fans everywhere.


Paddy McCartin and Jack Newnes celebrate on the final siren

St Kilda’s midfield, fed by the outstanding work of returned ruckman Billy Longer, dominated the clearances all day, with both Jack Steven and Seb Ross influential once again.

Jack Billings and David Armitage both made an impact on their return to senior football, while 22-year-old Daniel McKenzie played his best quarter of AFL football in the final term and was crucial to the comeback.

At three-quarter time, 2018 for the Saints looked every bit as dark and gloomy as the wider media had painted it.

But the ensuing 30 minutes of football proved that this young side has the guts and determination to stand up and fight when called upon.

Desperate, driven and unrelenting footy was the story the Saints told in the final term.

Now, it’s time to build on that.