The Saints ramped up preparations for Round 2 on Friday with a spirited full-contact training session.

After completing an hour of drills in groups, the squad split into teams to complete two fifteen-minute quarters.

Despite plenty of contested work in the full-contact session, and the substantial period of traditional match play, the Saints’ medicos were thankfully not called upon apart from a blood nose and a few corked thighs.

Only midfielder Jack Steele (minor wrist injury) and Darragh Joyce (recovering from hamstring tightness) missed the session, where the Saints’ added depth was on display.

Ben Long and Jade Gresham zipped around, showing no signs of the injuries sustained in Round 1, while several youngsters put their hand up for selection.

Jack Bytel and Ben Paton were among the standouts, while Max King took several contested marks in attack.

Jake Carlisle and Dougal Howard played at opposite ends in defence, with Callum Wilkie teaming up with Howard to show why he has become such an integral part of the team.

Rowan Marshal was influential around the ground, Hunter Clark clean and composed, while Dan Butler and Jack Lonie proved a dangerous combination up forward.

Meanwhile, Jarryn Geary proved a force in defence, much to the delight of his teammates. 

The improved depth through the midfield was also a feature with Dan Hannebery, Jack Billings, Bradley Hill, Luke Dunstan and Zak Jones all enjoying a chance to lift the intensity.

With Steele set to return to training next week and Joyce also closing in on a return, the Saints’ depth looms as arguably the teams biggest weapon heading into a revamped 17-round season.

Regular senior players Josh Battle, Jimmy Webster, Jake Carlisle, Nathan Brown, Jack Sinclair, Shane Savage and Nick Hind were among those to miss Round 1, while Matty Parker, Jonathon Marsh, Jack Bytel, Nick Coffield and Ryan Abbott all look ready to step up.