St Kilda has escaped by the slimmest of margins, beating Gold Coast by one point at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon and putting a disastrous pre-season behind it.
After overhauling its football program in response to their four-win 2018 season, the Saints copped several key injuries, losing defenders Jake Carlisle (back) and Dylan Roberton (heart) to long-term concerns, with Dan Hannebery (hamstrings and calves) and Jack Steven (mental health) facing their own issues.
Despite a nervous last term featuring plenty of fumbles, they managed to scrap their way to victory, 13.7 (85) to 13.6 (84).
A pack mark from Josh Bruce deep in defence helped stop the Suns, while Darcy Macpherson will rue his kick that went out on the full with seconds remaining.
Irishman Darragh Joyce showed poise to spoil towering forward Peter Wright as Gold Coast went forward late.
The crowd was hushed early as Gold Coast booted four quick goals in the first term to open up a 17-point lead, thanks to the ruck dominance of co-captain Jarrod Witts and Brayden Fiorini's work in the contest.
The last of those came via a ripper from Wright.
Then, inspired by two last-quarter goals from David Swallow, who was playing forward because of a sore knee, the Suns hit the front.
Former Demon Dean Kent coolly responded by nailing a lovely set shot while squeezed up against the boundary to again give St Kilda the advantage.
The Saints' young defence had shaky moments but looked more comfortable as the game wore on, with debutant Callum Wilkie and Josh Battle reading it well in the air.
The turf at Marvel Stadium is set to come under scrutiny with plenty of divots coming out of the surface on the interchange side.
Early in the third term, an emergency umpire came out to put the turf back into place after Gold Coast defender Sam Collins took out huge chunks while attempting a tackle.
Four-time St Kilda best and fairest Jack Steven was applauded when he ran on to the ground for the first time after his recent issues, and he finished with 27 disposals while spending time up forward and through the midfield.
The Suns' No.2 draftee Jack Lukosius showed some nice signs in the fourth quarter and took a strong contested mark.
Saints debutant Matthew Parker was exciting, and his multiple efforts to apply defensive pressure early in the second term won him praise from his side's supporters.
Alex Sexton worked hard for Gold Coast all day and was rewarded with four goals.
MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: Steven was on the end of a high hit midway through the final term and was forced from the ground but returned soon enough with his head bandaged.
Gold Coast: Small forward Ben Ainsworth was helped off the ground late in the opening term after hurting his right leg when Jimmy Webster fell over him while diving for a desperate smother. He returned to the field in the second term, sporting strapping around his knee. Swallow also had a sore knee but played out the game.
NEXT UP
St Kilda look to string together consecutive wins against Essendon next Saturday, again at Marvel Stadium. Gold Coast will back itself to defeat Fremantle at home the following day after a positive first-up display.
ST KILDA 4.1 9.4 12.4 13.7 (85)
GOLD COAST 5.3 7.3 10.4 13.6 (84)
GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Membrey 2, Parker 2, Long, Sinclair, Lonie, Gresham, Kent, Steele
Gold Coast: Sexton 4, Swallow 3, Wright 2, Miles, Burgess, Ainsworth, Powell
BEST
St Kilda: Ross, Billings, Steven, Newnes, Bruce, Steele, McKenzie
Gold Coast: Fiorini, Sexton, Witts, Ballard, Miller, Powell
INJURIES
St Kilda: TBC
Gold Coast: Ainsworth (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Hay, Gavine
Official crowd: 20,291 at Marvel Stadium
