Gold Coast have finally shrugged the monkey off their back by winning without Gary Ablett to put their AFL finals hopes back on track at Metricon Stadium.

After seven losses with Ablett absent, the Suns scored a crucial 17.15 (117) to 9.10 (64) victory over St Kilda on Saturday night to jump back into the top eight.

It was hardly a convincing performance in the scrappy encounter but the Coast showed the hunger and hardness at the ball that was sorely lacking in upset losses to the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane.

Dion Prestia led the way for the Suns with 31 possessions while stand-in skipper Tom Lynch kicked four goals in what was a niggling affair in front of a crowd of just 12,027.

On a night to forget for Saints fans, Nick Riewoldt was well contained by Steven May in his record 178th game as captain for the club.

St Kilda had lacked the fierce intensity shown in their stunning upset of Fremantle and, too often, shot themselves in the foot with countless mistakes in their defensive 50.

Ahead by just seven at the main break, the Suns set up the 53-point win with a six-goal third quarter before the floodgates opened in the final term.

There was redemption for many youngsters who endured forgettable displays against the Lions, especially Jaeger O’Meara and Harley Bennell.

In a good weekend for the Coast, with a host of results going their way, they sit on 40 points – equal with sixth-placed North Melbourne and Essendon.

But coach Guy McKenna will still demand plenty of improvement for them to force their way into the club’s first September appearance.

There was a total of 35 clangers from both sides in the mistake-riddled opening term that also featured two heated scuffles.

David Swallow was among the Suns’ players lashing out over the boundary line coming up to quarter-time before he was led down the race to have his achilles treated.

Swallow played on impressively with his left calf heavily strapped before being subbed out in the final term.