A captivating win punctuated with a united brand of footy, a raft of electric debutants and a sizzling highlights reel on full display for a 2,500-strong crowd.

St Kilda’s first match of 2021 came packed with its fair share of memorable and defining moments, all of which amounted to an exhilarating nine-point in the heartland.

Here are our picks of the bunch.

A little bit of electricity

It was during last year’s landmark debut against the Western Bulldogs where first-gamer Georgia Patrikios immediately piqued widespread attention and recognition.

She did it again in 2021 (23 disposals, one goal) against the Dogs, but it was debutant Tyanna Smith who was just as prolific under the Friday night lights.

A seamless addition to the Saints’ midfield, the 18-year-old captivated onlookers with an eye-catching 16 touches, three clearances and a goal to boot.

Smith’s closing speed – on par with that of Kate McCarthy – and pressure throughout the night was constant, while her combination with Patrikios was first-rate.

It may be a small sample size, but if game one is just an entrée of what to expect from Tyanna Smith, we can’t wait for the main course.

Putting on the jets

Tyanna Smith may have some serious jets on her, but Kate McCarthy ensured she held onto the title of St Kilda’s resident speedster with a blistering burst early in the piece.

An aggressive kick into space from debutant Renee Saulitis handed McCarthy the perfect opportunity to deal damage, and straight away, the legs starting pumping.

Ducking out goalside, quickly putting a few metres on her opponent and launching inside-50, the No. 9’s blistering pace gave Kate Shierlaw the simplest of goals and the Saints’ second of the evening.

Check your letterbox during the week, Kate… you might just have a speeding ticket.

Pressure footy

Coach Peta Searle made a point about beating the Bulldogs at their own game: winning the contested ball and getting a leg-up at the stoppages.

The Saints’ offensive and defensive pressure was the answer to overcoming their opposition, and ultimately proved critical in the nine-point win.

Every player on the field contributed to the growing pressure cooker from siren-to-siren, which failed to let out steam even as the Dogs mounted a spirited resurgence in the final term.

Rosie Dillon led the Saints’ charge throughout the night with nine tackles (a club record), while the tenacious Nat Exon was just as effective with five of her own.

Across the board, each Saint delivered their moment: Jacqui Vogt capitalised with a goal after winning a free kick for holding the ball, Rhi Watt battled through cramp to provide contest after contest, while Cat Phillips both dispensed and received several tough knocks throughout the game.

Nadia’s moment

There were plenty of one-percenters on show at RSEA Park, but Nadia von Bertouch’s pair of goal-saving moments arguably were attached to the most importance.

Top Dog Izzy Huntington could very easily have ended her evening with four majors had it not been for the gritty Saint, who returned to the field almost 12 months on from her season-ending ACL injury.

A desperate tackle on the goal line soured a certain Huntington goal in the twilight stages of the opening term, while another do-or-die lunge with six minutes left on the clock spelled one of the biggest plays of the night.

Von Bertouch was joined in defence by the returning Tarni White, who was sensational with 20 disposals and nine intercepts in her comeback game from a serious knee injury.

The No. 3

A moment for every Saints fan young or old was seeing Alice Burke take to Moorabbin Oval wearing her father’s famous No. 3.

Nathan Burke was there to see his daughter’s debut game unfold, although in the opposition coaching box as he and the Dogs hunted for their first win of the year.

Alice may have got the chocolates in the Burke v Burke square-off, but their embrace post-match was the story of the night.

Burke was one of six debutants for the Saints, along with Renee Saulitis, Jayde Van Dyk, Tahlia Meyer, Jacqui Vogt and Tyanna Smith.