Saints fans will have enjoyed their first glimpse of a new-look St Kilda, bolstered by some fresh faces and the return of two big names.

Mature-age recruit Matty Parker is already a fan-favourite after several eye-catching moments in yesterday’s win.

Parker leapt into the sky in the first term, almost pulling off a mark of the year contender, and had the crowd on their feet with several run-down tackles and one memorable hit on the grandstand side.

Speed machine Nick Hind was also impressive on debut, creating havoc with his run off half-back, while Dean Kent added class and composure in the forward half.

The return of Dylan Roberton and Josh Bruce after injury-ravaged seasons in 2018 was also a welcome sight.

Roberton controlled the back half with his intercept marking on display, while Bruce was thrust into the ruck after Lewis Pierce was forced from the ground with concussion in the first term.

SAINTS GET THE SCOREBOARD TICKING OVER

It may have been a sweltering 38 degrees at Avalon Airport Oval, but it was raining goals in the second term for the Saints.

Alan Richardson’s men hit top gear in the second term, hunting down their opposition and piling on six goals in a blistering 13-minute patch.

The Saints finished beyond the 100-point mark easily surpassing 2018’s average score of 73 points.

Paddy McCartin, Tim Membrey, Jack Billings, Jack Steele, Dean Kent and Parker all booted two goals as the Saints shared the scoring load.

WATCH: Post-match interview with Nick Hind

LEWY GOES DOWN, BRUCE AND WILKIE STEP UP

Lewis Pierce starred in last Saturday’s intra-club match at RSEA Park, but was forced to watch on from the sidelines after receiving a head knock in the opening minutes of play.

The 25-year-old was in everything early before part-timer Josh Bruce was forced to assume ruck duties with support from rookie Callum Wilkie.

While North Melbourne convincingly won the hit-out count 58-12, the combined force of Bruce and Wilkie were able to mitigate the All-Australian ruckman’s influence in the contests, indicative through the Saints only losing the clearance count by two. 

Wilkie only finished with the four disposals to his name, but provided a stunning mark on the half-back flank over Jy Simpkin in the third term to reinforce his strong aerial capabilities.

READ: Speedy Saints down Kangaroos

FORWARD PRESSURE – TICK 

The Saints resurescted their pressure game against the Roos, with Parker and livewire Jack Lonie leading the way.

But it was the buy-in from every Saint that would have pleased Alan Richardson.

Parker finished with seven tackles; a figure which was matched by Jack Steele (seven) and followed up closely by Hunter Clark (six) and Lonie (six).

Billings, Gresham and Jack Sinclair also got their hands dirty, while Luke Dunstan and Seb Ross were tough in the clinches.

WATCH: JLT 1 Highlights v North Melbourne

BATTLE STATIONS

All eyes were on the Saints’ defence without Jake Carlisle, but Josh Battle and Darragh Joyce both impressed while Nathan Brown demonstrated the benefits of a massive pre-season.

The veteran kept Ben Brown quiet, while Shave Savage, captain Jarryn Geary and Jimmy Webster were all instrumental in keeping the Roos’ in check.

Savage and Webster used the kick-in rule to full effect, with Webster’s piercing left-foot on show throughout.

ON PAPER…

North Melbourne emerged on top in almost every stat, leading the way for inside 50s (58-43), clearances (40-38) and hit-outs (58-12).

But despite their ascendancy on paper, the Saints were far more effective in the way they used the ball, with their cleanliness entering forward 50, negating the Roo's statistical dominance. 

St Kilda registered 27 shots on goal from 43 inside 50s while limiting the Kangaroos to 26 shots from 58 entries.