St Kilda has fallen to a 44-point defeat to North Melbourne in its first pre-season hitout ahead of the 2024 AFLW season at RSEA Park on Saturday.
In a high-pressure content, the Saints held their own in patches but couldn't outlast last year's grand finalists in the 3.7 (25) to 10.9 (69) loss.
After a goalless first half, the Saints found majors through Grace Kelly, Jesse Wardlaw and Ella Friend, with the latter producing a sublime finish from the boundary in the highlight of the day.
Here are the key takeaways from match sim.
1. New faces impress
St Kilda featured five new faces, with recruits Paige Trudgeon, Rene Caris, Emmelie Fiedler and draftees Charlotte Simpson and Kiera Whiley showing promising signs.
Former Carlton tall Trudgeon slotted in seamlessly in defence with her presence and intercepting, while No. 47 pick Simpson maintained strong pressure and got her hands on the footy in midfield.
With St Kilda’s season opener against Gold Coast only 21 days away, the new Saints proved they will be ones to watch as their side hunts down their first finals campaign.
2. Midfield trio primed for another big season
Last year's top three in the Saints' best and fairest - Jaimee Lambert (first), Tyanna Smith (second) and Georgia Patrikios (third) - picked up from where they left off with impressive performances in midfield.
Lambert's clearance work and inside 50s were key drivers in St Kilda's third-term fightback, while Patrikios and Smith found plenty of the footy inside and brought the intensity all afternoon in a physical game.
Having been elevated to the Saints' leadership group, Patrikios and Smith set the tone with their hunger and intent.
Add in engine room staples Olivia Vesely and Hannah Stuart to that mix, who missed Saturday's game alongside Steph Chiocci, Bianca Jakobsson, Beth Pinchin and Bec Ott, and St Kilda's midfield could go to another level this coming season.
3. Good opponents, even better lessons
There were valuable lessons against an established side in North Melbourne, which fell to Brisbane in last year’s grand final and had the most representation of any side in the 2023 AFLW All-Australian team.
Sharp, physical and clean from the outset, the Kangaroos showed no signs of slowing down this season, putting the foot down in the second half to dominate the contested football and display lethal efficiency inside 50.
With today’s experience against quality opponents come quality takeaways, which will hold St Kilda in good stead to improve its defensive efforts and fundamental game strategies ahead of its practice match against West Coast in Perth next week.
