IRISH winger Liam O'Connell has bolted into surprise contention for St Kilda's round one side, with the athletic youngster impressing in the team's pre-season scratch match victory over Carlton on Saturday morning.

O'Connell looked natural having started on a wing, kicking two goals in a standout display that could have the County Cork prospect angling for a spot in Ross Lyon's plans ahead of the club's season-opener against Adelaide.

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A new-look Saints side also handed extended midfield opportunities to both Hugo Garcia and Hugh Boxshall, with both taking their chance to help spearhead a relatively scrappy 10.9 (69) to 8.10 (58) victory at Ikon Park.

Garcia was close to best-on-ground for St Kilda in sweltering 36-degree temperatures, forming a key part in a midfield group stacked with fresh faces alongside draftee Boxshall, rookie recruit Harry Boyd and trade arrival Jack Macrae.

A depleted St Kilda, missing as many as 10 senior regulars due to injury, also saw glimpses from Angus Hastie and Max Hall before its No.8 pick Tobie Travaglia kicked a stellar sealing goal from beyond 50m late in the match to secure victory.

St Kilda plays Port Adelaide in the AAMI Community Series on March 1 at RSEA Park. 

Young guns

St Kilda will have to consider Liam O'Connell for round one, while Hugh Boxshall should also be in contention given his performance through the midfield. Harry Boyd was another who looked comfortable in a solo ruck role. Max Hall did some nice things and kicked a goal. Tobie Travaglia kicked a stunning sealer after coming on at three-quarter time, while both Isaac Keeler and Max Heath played limited minutes as they chase AFL debuts.

CARLTON    3.2      5.4        6.7      8.10 (58)
ST KILDA     1.2      5.3        8.6      10.9 (69)

GOALS
Carlton: Motlop 3, McKay 2, De Koning, Cerra, L.Camporeale
St Kilda: O'Connell 2, Butler 2, Sharman, Boxshall, Higgins, Hall, Caminiti, Travaglia

CARLTON

2. Lachlan Cowan, 3. Jesse Motlop, 4. Oliver Hollands, 5. Adam Cerra, 6. Zac Williams, 7. Jagga Smith, 8. Lachie Fogarty, 9. Patrick Cripps, 10. Harry McKay, 11. Mitch McGovern, 12. Tom De Koning, 13. Blake Acres, 14. Orazio Fantasia, 15. Sam Docherty, 17. Brodie Kemp, 19. Corey Durdin, 20. Elijah.Hollands, 21. Lucas Camporeale, 23. Jacob Weitering, 25. Jaxon Binns, 26. Nick Haynes, 27. Marc Pittonet, 29. George Hewett, 31. Harry Lemmey, 32. Matthew Carroll, 33. Lewis Young, 36. Cooper Lord, 42. Adam Saad, 43. Ashton Moir, 46. Matthew Cottrell

Notable absentees: Jack Silvagni, Sam Walsh, Nic Newman, Charlie Curnow, Alex Cincotta

ST KILDA

1. Jack Higgins, 2. Marcus Windhager, 5. Tobie Travaglia, 6. Jack Macrae, 7. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, 8. Bradley Hill, 9. Jack Steele, 10. Mitch Owens, 13. Ryan Byrnes, 14. Liam Stocker, 16. Dan Butler, 17. Isaac Keeler, 21. Zaine Cordy, 22. Darcy Wilson, 24. Angus Hastie, 29. Jimmy Webster, 31. Harry Boyd, 34. Hugo Garcia, 38. Hugh Boxshall, 40. Max Hall, 41. Angus McLennan, 42. Max Heath, 43. Cooper Sharman, 44. Callum Wilkie, 45. Liam O'Connell, 47. Anthony Caminiti

Notable absentees: Max King, Rowan Marshall, Jack Sinclair, Mason Wood, Mattaes Phillipou, Liam Henry, Hunter Clark, Dougal Howard, Zak Jones, Lance Collard, Arie Schoenmaker, Alix Tauru