St Kilda Football Club showcased the depth in its young squad today at the club’s intra-club match at Linen House Centre.
The team was split in two, with half the Saints donning the new-look NAB Challenge guernseys, while the other half wore VFL affiliate Sandringham’s colours.
With senior players Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Adam Schneider and James Gwilt rested for the game, it was a chance for fans to see the future of the club on display.
New coach Alan Richardson said he was proud with the players’ efforts but was particularly pleased to see Billings and Dunstan giving it a red-hot go.
“It was pleasing to watch Dunstan’s whole game,” said Richardson.
“Luke is a really mature kid and that has been very good for his development, he is also very impressive physically, and a very powerful guy so we would expect him to play reasonably soon.
“Billings also showed the class we know he has in the first half and I would think he would play a lot of NAB Cup footy.”
The addition of Billings in the middle helped complement David Armitage and Leigh Montagna for the first quarter.
After the game the youngster said he modelled himself on players like Montagna and “would be happy to be half the player he is.”
The first quarter was messy as both St Kilda and the Sandringham players were finding their feet but with the absence of Riewoldt, Maister was able to step up to take some big marks and kick the first goal of the game.
Clinton Jones continued to run hard in the second quarter while Saints supporters witnessed the first glimpse of what Shane Savage has to offer.
The ex-Hawthorn player, who was a part of the Ben McEvoy trade, ran hard to intercept a kick and while trying to mark it, he skilfully punched it onwards to Jones to kick the goal.
Savage played out the game on the wing and scored a very impressive goal in the third after taking them on in the middle of the field and drilling it home.
The combination of Tom Hickey, Billy Longer and international rookie Jason Holmes displayed St Kilda’s newfound ruck depth.
Armitage got four inside 50s in the second quarter playing for Sandy, which sparked the Saints into action in the second half stepping up their defensive pressure.
With only one stoppage half way through the third, Jack Steven carried the message onto the ground for the boys to go into “defensive mode.”
Savage, Steven and Jack Newnes were a part of creating a goal opportunity for Luke Dunstan, who just missed from 35 metres out.
Saints got it straight back from the Zebras who struggled to get the ball in.
Maister led an inexperienced forward line into the fourth, which included Longer, Hickey, Sam Dunell and Trent-Dennis Lane.
The crowd started to see Richardson’s influence as Sandy couldn’t get past the Saints 50, resulting in a goal from Dennis-Lane.
There was a push for Steven to go full forward and Newnes to also go inside for the last ten minutes of the game.
This gave the Saints new options but they weren’t needed when Montagna used his speed to kick a beauty from the boundary line in front of the crowd.
Arryn Siposs and rookie Eli Templeton played the majority of the match for Sandringham but saw plenty of the ball, which did not go unnoticed.
“Eli was very impressive today, not that it would be hard to recognise him with his hair but he was predominately in the Sandy jumper early… and rookies can definitely play footy during the season,” Richardson said.
Hickey also impressed Richardson by kicking three goals and taking some strong marks.
The key ruckman marked Farren Ray’s missed goal inside the square and instead of kicking the goal himself, he handballed to Steven who ran around the back of him.
Nathan Wright was the only player to come off after a knock to the head in the first quarter.
“We weren’t going to take any chances (putting him back on to play) but he will be fine,” said Richardson.
“For everyone in this group of be fit and ready for Wednesday week is a really good result.”
The Saints will take on Western Bulldogs 19th of February in the first round of the NAB challenge.
