Prized St Kilda draftee Max King showed glimpses of the special talent that saw him picked up at No. 4 last year despite recovering from a right knee reconstruction.
King lined up in Sandringham's one-point win over Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon, sitting out the final term and ending the match with seven disposals and one goal.
His lone major was soccered through, perhaps not how the athletic 203cm specimen will finish most of his chances for the Saints in what looms as a long career, but he displayed the traits that could make him a feared forward in seasons to come.
First goal for King. pic.twitter.com/lbcYmYtaOR
— Dinny Navaratnam (@dinnynavaratnam) May 12, 2019
King attacked aerial contests with ferocity, refusing to hold back when others might have been tentative in returning from long-term injury.
A couple of efforts in particular stood out. Shortly before his lone goal, King flew at a contest on a wing and almost took a great mark. He didn't quite hold on to it but fed the handball out accurately.
Then early in the third term, it seemed he clunked a pack grab up forward but was denied by an umpire, who called play on.
Meanwhile, Jonathon Marsh responded extremely well to his omission, dominating in his preferred position down back on his way to collecting 26 disposals and 13 marks.
Smooth-moving midfielder Hunter Clark showed his class in picking up a team-high 28 disposals while Brandon White (24 and 11 marks) and Nick Hind (19) also impressed, with the latter showing his trademark dash out of defence as he presses for a debut.
Electric forward Robbie Young snapped an outstanding goal from the boundary after a chase-down tackle while young key defender Oscar Clavarino emerged unscathed in his comeback from right ankle surgery stemming back to a syndesmosis issue from a February intraclub.
A last-minute behind from the Zebras-listed Sam Fox gave his side the 7.14 (56) to 8.7 (55) victory.