Don and Jan Marshall have ensured their cows stand out from the paddock in support of eldest son and Saints footballer Rowan.

The pair, along with their sons Leighton, 22, and Ollie, 19, hope their painted herd prove a good luck charm as St Kilda prepares for its semi-final showdown with reigning premier Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.

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The Marshalls, whose Allestree farm is 10 minutes from Portland, would love to be in Queensland but will instead settle in front of the TV to support their number one Saint.

Proud dad Don said he was chuffed to see Rowan, who was drafted via the VFL, make his mark in the AFL.

"It's quite surreal in some ways, to even think he's playing AFL," he told The Standard.

"He got his first game which we thought was great and he's played 50 now.

"I don't want to get too corny but I'm bloody proud of him. He's been a good kid and fought, fought and fought to get where he is. We get a hell of a kick out of seeing him play."

Don said it was exciting to see the Saints in their first finals series since 2011.

They won a three-point elimination final thriller against Western Bulldogs on Saturday to keep their premiership dream alive.

"We spoke to Rowan before the game on Saturday and Jan said 'I bet you're a bit nervous about the big game'," Don said.

"He said 'we're not really nervous, we're just excited' and I thought that was a good thing because you can waste a lot of energy being nervous."

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The Marshalls usually ensure one of their clan is in the stands to watch Rowan play Melbourne-based games.

Coronavirus restrictions forced the AFL to relocate its Victorian teams to Queensland for the bulk of the 2020 season.

"We settle down every game, go out into the pool room and we put our Saints' scarves and hats on and yell and carry on and have made good out of a bad situation," Don said.

"We miss going to the games but we're lucky they can still play."

Don is bullish about the Saints' chances against the Tigers.

They will go in as underdogs and have lost experienced ruckman Paddy Ryder - Rowan's partner-in-crime - to a hamstring injury.

Don said it was disappointing former Bomber and Power player Ryder would miss the game as he'd combined well with his son.

"He's been playing so well Paddy and he seems to be such a nice bloke, they all love him," he said.

"It's been great with Paddy and Rowan sharing it (ruck duties) this year and Rowan playing a bit more forward."

Don, Rowan and Ollie supported Essendon before Rowan joined St Kilda.

"We'd get up to one game a year if we were lucky, maybe two and we'd go and watch the Bombers play and of course Paddy Ryder was playing then," Don said.

"He was a big idol of ours and now Rowan is playing with him."