ST KILDA was simply no match for Hawthorn on Thursday night, the scoreboard tells that story.
But what the scoreboard doesn't show is how beneficial this hit out was to the plethora of emerging Saints that have rarely been confronted by such a well-oiled outfit.
Six months ago Hawthorn was celebrating a premiership. Since then, on paper at least, all they've done is strengthened.
For St Kilda, the positives rest in the experience category.
To that end, Jack Sinclair looked unperturbed by the likes of Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis in midfield.
Sinclair’s performance was even more remarkable because this time last year he was a fringe TAC Cup player and 12 months earlier he considered cricket the more likely avenue to elite sport.
The 20-year-old boasts a strongly built lower half and regularly wiggled his way out of trouble, finishing with 16 disposals. When the game was at its most intense, he was at his best.
Similarly, Luke Dunstan worked his way into the contest. Wearing Lenny Hayes’ number seven guernsey, the teenager (yes, it is hard to believe he is yet to turn 20), displayed similar traits to his predecessor. The grunt work is strong, while the polish will come. He knows where to run, has clean hands and a calm head on his shoulders.
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Watching Dunstan play, you get the feeling he will only get better as his teammates develop around him. 25 disposals and 5 tackles was a sound return for the left footer.
And then there was Jack Steven, a prolific, energiser battery-type midfielder who is fast becoming the Saints most damaging player.
Assuming he stays fit, it must be highly likely that the 2013 Trevor Barker Award-winner will double his best and fairest tally this season. 33 touches was a more than respectable return.
Other players to impress in patches included Maverick Weller, especially with his 60 metre super goal, Sean Dempster, Tom Hickey and Blake Acres.
Leigh Montagna was subbed minutes after Nathan Wright was also handed the red vest.
Tom Curren and debutant Lewis Pierce replaced them but by then the result was a foregone conclusion.
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Hawthorn’s final tune-up before the home and away season was more like dress rehearsal. The spot fire scuffles that burnt all over the ground illustrated this. Yes it was a NAB Challenge game, but no, the Hawks have no intention of entering the season half-baked and tonight emphatically proved this.
Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead were instrumental and look no different to the players they were on September 27 last year.
Worryingly for the rest of the competition, the Hawks have added James Frawley to their backline and Jono O’Rourke to their midfield.
Admittedly the Saints missed the class of Jack Billings, Farren Ray’s dash and the obvious presence of Nick Riewoldt, but this was a mismatch from the outset.
Alistair Clarkson will be delighted, while Alan Richardson, frustrated at the result, will now have a clear benchmark to remind his players of.
Ironically, Hawthorn's final score of 145 was the margin in round seven last year between these two teams. However slow it comes, improvement is incremental for the Saints and patience is a must. Rebuilding is hard, but ultimately worth it.
FINAL SCORE:
ST KILDA: 1.4.6 (39)
HAWTHORN: 0.22.13 (145)
BEST: Steven, Weller, Newnes, Dunstan, Sinclair, Dempster
GOALS: McCartin, Hickey, Weller (Including a super goal), Bruce
