Football is about moments. We take a look at the moments that mattered in the Saints’ one-point victory over Gold Coast.

1. Matty Parker arrives

Debutant Matty Parker has had to go a harder way than most on his way to the big-time. And having impressed with his dynamism and hunger across the entire pre-season, the exciting WAFL product didn’t have to wait long to impact on the scoreboard.

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A coolly-taken set shot from 40m out signalled the 23-year-old’s arrival on the big stage, and his ecstatic reaction showed just how much it meant.

2. Seb’s class on show

Midfield stalwart Seb Ross was one of the Saints’ highlights all day, racking up 27 disposals (five contested) and seven inside-50s in a dominant performance in the centre.

His highlight came in the late stages of the second term, when he pounced on an opposition hit-out from the centre bounce before tucking the footy under his arm and taking on the game in trademark Ross fashion.

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Two bounces punctuated his 40m gut run before he perfectly speared a ball onto the chest of leading big man Josh Bruce, who converted to give the Saints a crucial half-time buffer.

3. Parker’s never-say-die chase

Few actions endear a new player to football supporters more than a relentless repeat effort.

And early in the second term, that’s exactly what debutant Matty Parker delivered. The Suns were hemmed in the back pocket, with a rampaging Parker unforgiving in his hunt for the footy.

The number differential of one versus three paled into insignificance when four rapid pressure acts were capped off by a crunching tackle, forcing a throw-in and drawing the loudest roar of the afternoon.

4. Kent grabs his chance

In his first game in the tri-colours, Ex-Demon Dean Kent endured a frustrating afternoon, where the dynamic forward wasn’t able to showcase his best form.

But when his opportunity came, the Saints’ new No. 25 didn’t disappoint. An intercept mark from doppelgänger Tim Membrey started the move, before fellow first-gamer Matty Parker found Kent on the chest, albeit on an acute angle in the pocket.

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Kent went back and slotted coolly to regain the lead, before turning to his new fans and beating the red, white and black on his chest.

5. Brucey’s big pluck

Returning star Josh Bruce enjoyed a comeback to remember, following a frustrating 2018 hampered by a trio of injuries. Three goals and a Round 1 win would’ve been enough to firmly announce his return to Saints fans, but his biggest moment came in the game’s dying seconds.

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As the Suns pressed hard, a long bomb to the top of the square looked to create a certain scoring opportunity, but the No. 27 rose above the pack to take a strong, match-saving grab.

6. Darragh has the last say

Irishman Darragh Joyce was faced with a monumental task in just his third game for the Saints. The hurling convert was placed at full-back opposite Suns’ key forward “Two-metre Peter” Wright.

Joyce’s athleticism made up for most of the 10cm height differential between the pair, keeping him to just two goals for the day, but when the game was on the line, the boy from Kilkenny came up trumps.

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A surging kick forward with just over 30 seconds on the clock from the Suns’ Touk Miller opened up a last-ditch one-on-one contest, but the undersized Joyce read it best, thumping the ball out of reach towards his teammate Wilkie.

7. Dunstan’s diving desperation

As the seconds ticked down, Luke Dunstan was faced with a fight or flight moment.

After a much-maligned 2018, the South Australian was desperate to prove his value in the senior side, and when the choice was there, Dunstan didn’t hesitate to put his body on the line for the jumper.

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The hard-nosed midfielder jumped into gear, accelerating into the path of an oncoming Sun knowing full well heavy contact was coming, and took the hit, creating a match-winning stoppage.