Familiar faces, emerging fan favourites and breakout candidates all impressed across the Saints’ pre-season hit-outs against Melbourne and Essendon at RSEA Park.

We run the rule over who caught the eye ahead of the 2023 season.

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Rowan Marshall

Big Ro’s elite skillset is hardly a secret in the footy world, but the star ruckman offered a timely reminder ahead of the home-and-away season.

Ross the Boss presented his big man with the lion's share of ruck responsibility, competing stoically against Melbourne’s Gawn/Grundy pairing before producing a dominant performance against the Bombers.

24 disposals, 18 hit-outs, eight clearances, seven marks, four tackles and a booming goal capped off the perfect preparation for the season proper.

00:43

Practice Match | Ro's rockstar roost rocks RSEA Park

St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall unleashes a mammoth shot from distance

Mitch Owens

Mitchito’s mooted move forward came to fruition, playing as an aerial target up front and offering mobile ruck relief at stages.

But it was his follow-up work at ground level that caught the eye, as the versatile 19-year-old translated his midfield craft to the forward-50 once the ball hit the deck.

Owens kicked three goals and handed off another two in a promising night against the Bombers.

00:42

Practice Match | Awesome Owens gets Saints faithful up and about

St Kilda's Mitch Owens chimes in with two superb goals in the third term to extend his side's lead

Hunter Clark

Clark excelled in Lenny Hayes’ new midfield crew, setting himself for an exciting campaign as a smooth-moving on-baller.

A turn in fortune on the injury front has allowed the 23-year-old to build a tank capable of competing in the guts, highlighted by his 24-disposal (15 contested) effort against Essendon.

“I’ve done my whole pre-season through the midfield,” Clark told saints.com.au post-match.

“Each week I’ve gained more confidence…I’ve missed a lot of footy so it’s nice to finally be out there.”

02:48

'We had clear things to focus on': Clark post-game

Hunter Clark speaks to STK Media off the back of the Saints' pre-season win over the Bombers at RSEA Park.

Mattaes Phillipou

Mattaes mania swept over Moorabbin the past fortnight as the Saints’ first-round draftee endeared himself to the faithful on and off the field.

‘The Pou’ was a shining light against the Demons in match simulation, slotting two goals including a long-range bomb and clunking a handful of contested marks against an elite Melbourne defence.

01:39

'I love Ross': Phillipou striking close bond with Lyon

Mattaes Phillipou explains why he loves working with Senior Coach Ross Lyon. Courtesy of Channel 7.

The 18-year-old backed it up against the Bombers, snapping the Saints’ first goal on his opposite boot in a 15-touch outing up forward.

Fans also appreciated his post-game work, as the cheery youngster was one of the most sought-after photo opportunities around the RSEA Park boundary.

And if you missed it, he’s already got a fan club.

Mason Wood

Wood’s transformation to a consistent wingman over the past 12 months has been a revelation.

The 29-year-old carried his momentum into the new year, collecting 28 disposals and 15 marks (for a whopping 137 AFL Fantasy points) on a windy afternoon against the Bombers.

Wood wasn’t the only veteran keeping Champion Data busy, as Brad Crouch racked up 34 touches to get the job done on the inside.

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