A fresh hit of energy to its overall gameplan has given St Kilda the ideal springboard heading into Round 1, according to assistant coach Robert Harvey.

The Saints looked a far different outfit compared to last week’s extended match simulation against Melbourne, taking care of Essendon 10.7 (67) to 3.14 (32) at a full-capacity RSEA Park in the final pre-season hit-out before the season proper.

After overcoming a scrappy start against the breeze, the Saints found themselves with the wind in their sails as their processes around team defence and offensive movement started to gel.

“I think the bones of some of the basics that we probably wanted to address from last week looked better,” Harvey said post-game.

“Our hit around the ball was better, our general pressure was better, our ability to keep that ball in our front half was a lot better, so there were some positive signs there.

“Obviously really tough for both teams (with the breeze) and we deal with this a lot more than they do, so it was that was an advantage to us.

“We wanted to get a bit of energy in our game going into Round 1 and I thought we saw that. Was it perfect? Definitely not and there’s stuff we’ve got to get better at, but there’s good signs there.”

While the bones of the Saints’ new gameplan have started to knit together, there’s far less concern for the ones in Marcus Windhager’s hand.

Windhager will undergo surgery this morning to repair a break in his right hand, with hopes of a Round 1 appearance still intact.

The second-year midfielder was ruled out of the contest in the opening minutes, completing laps of the oval post-game after being seen moments earlier with his arm in a sling.

Jack Bytel – who started on the seven-man bench after Bradley Hill (personal reasons) was a late out – took Windhager’s place to finish with 16 disposals and seven tackles, but it was another youngster who put in another bid for an early debut in 2023.

First-round draftee Mattaes Phillipou backed up his impressive first-up performance from last week with a spirited showing up forward, finishing with 15 possessions and a goal before slowing down in the second half.

St Kilda’s injury list has given a boost to Phillipou’s chances of a Round 1 berth, however the 18-year-old has done more than enough to potentially earn a spot in his own right, irrespective of the club’s casualty ward.

“It happens at most clubs now where those opportunities pop up. He’s just endeared himself to the players and coaches and staff with how he’s gone about it,” Harvey said.

“He’s just come in with a great attitude, he really wants to get better and he’s just loving it. You can’t wipe the smile off his face week to week, Monday to Friday, and he’s just banging the door down to have a crack.

“He earned that position today and we’ll see what happens. I know he’s not satisfied and he’s so hungry to get better, but we’re mighty impressed with how he’s gone about it so far.”

St Kilda will commence its 150^th year against Fremantle on Sunday 19 March at Marvel Stadium.