St Kilda has given its supporters encouragement for the 2019 season with a hard-fought 25-point win in searing heat over North Melbourne at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The temperature hit 38-degrees during the clash as the Saints won 15.12 (102) to 11.11 (77).

North fought back with the assistance of the breeze in the third quarter to cut the margin from a game-high 32 points just after half-time to 13 points at the final change.

Six goals in a row highlighted a fine second quarter from the Saints, and they went to the main break with a 27-point lead after trailing by 11 points at quarter-time.

An undersized Kangaroos defence was constantly under pressure in the middle and latter parts of the second quarter as St Kilda kicked eight goals to two, with Paddy McCartin proving a constant threat.

St Kilda ruckman Lewis Pierce was concussed early in the first quarter and took no further part in the game, while North recruit Aaron Hall returned to the field in the second quarter after what initially appeared to be a worrying knee injury.

There were fears he may have injured his PCL when his left leg twisted in a tackle, and he was assisted from the field by trainers, but after having his knee strapped and doing some run-throughs on the boundary line he resumed without apparent restriction.

However, he was withdrawn at half-time for precautionary reasons, and did not return for the second half, spending time on the bench with his knee heavily iced.

What we learned

North Melbourne: Luke Davies-Uniacke played seven games in his debut season last year but supporters generally expect more from No.4 draft picks. After a quiet start on Saturday, the 19-year-old showed some of the tricks that made him such a standout junior. Davies-Uniacke finished with 27 possessions, six inside 50s, five tackles and four clearances, but most significantly showed the explosiveness around stoppages that North believes can, in time, make him an elite AFL midfielder.

St Kilda: The Saints have the firepower in attack to trouble teams, especially under the new centre bounce rule. Paddy McCartin gave St Kilda a strong aerial target early in Saturday's game and should be one of the beneficiaries of the quicker, cleaner clearances expected to come under the new 6-6-6 starting positions. Tim Membrey was the standout for the Saints in attack, kicking three final-quarter goals to rubber-stamp the Saints' victory, while fellow tall Josh Bruce also showed signs he can return to form after a difficult 2018.

New faces

North Melbourne: Wingman Jared Polec provided what it was expected he would add to North's midfield – dash and class – while fellow recycled recruit Dom Tyson gave the Roos an extra big-bodied presence around the stoppages. Aaron Hall had a serious knee scare early in the first quarter but returned to play the second term before sitting out the second half; Jasper Pittard showed glimpses of his class with some pinpoint kicking that included a clinical goal on the run in the second quarter, and Tom Campbell rucked strongly in limited game time. Father-son recruit Bailey Scottfound his feet quickly at senior level in an assured performance that suggested he will be firmly in the mix for round-one selection. Fellow draftee Tarryn Thomas had a quieter day, but his fierce tackling stood out at times.

St Kilda: Former Demon Dean Kent showed enough to suggest he will be a handy addition to the Saints' attack with his grunt at ground level, the highlight of his day a clever snapped goal in the second quarter. Nick Hind was the pick of the Saints' 2018 draftees, showcasing his speed and toughness across half-back, while Matthew Parker was also impressive in attack with two goals and mature-age rookie Callum Wilkie stepped up to help the Saints cover the loss of ruckman Lewis Pierce in the first quarter.

NEXT UP The Kangaroos travel to play Port Adelaide at its Alberton Oval home next Saturday, while the Saints will enjoy an eight-day break before taking on the Western Bulldogs at Ballarat's Mars Stadium next Sunday.

NORTH MELBOURNE     4.1   6.1   9.7   11.11 (77)
ST KILDA          2.2   10.4   11.8   15.12 (102)         

GOALS
North Melbourne: Atley 2, Ziebell, Turner, Larkey, Pittard, Larkey, Goldstein, Campbell, Murphy, Brown
St Kilda: Membrey 3, McCartin 2, Steele 2, Parker 2, Billings 2, Phillips, Kent, Battle, Gresham, Newnes

BEST
North Melbourne: Macmillan, Williams, Polec, Dumont, Davies-Uniacke, Tyson
St Kilda: Steele, Ross, Brown, Membrey, Billings, Roberton, Savage, Newnes

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Hall (knee)
St Kilda: Pierce (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Haussen, Howarth, Donlon

Official crowd: 1596 at Avalon Airport Oval