Mason Wood kicked four goals and Jack Higgins dazzled as St Kilda's new-look forward line passed its first test in Wednesday's 91-point belting of a lacklustre North Melbourne. 

Higgins (two goals) looked sharp across half-forward in his first outing as a Saint, combining brilliantly in attack with ex-Roo Wood, Josh Battle (three), Max King (two) and Tim Membrey (two). 

The Saints' exquisite ball use proved too much for the Roos to handle, David Noble's side beaten comprehensively 22.8 (140) to 6.13 (49) in their opening scratch match at Arden Street Oval.  

Former Pie Jaidyn Stephenson played predominantly as a forward and kicked two goals but had little other impact as the Roos struggled for potency. 

Todd Goldstein (bruised ribs) and Ben Cunnington (concussion) sat out for the Roos, but the Saints were also missing a host of stars underlining their new-found depth under Brett Ratten. 

The Saints had 11 individual goalkickers for the afternoon, with King pulling in several contested marks and Dan Butler (two goals) and Jack Lonie (two) busy at his feet. 

Paddy Ryder also stood tall in the absence of No.1 ruck Rowan Marshall (foot), coming on and off the bench rotating with recent list addition and ex-Crow Paul Hunter. 

Ryder was spotted running extra laps post-game as he builds his fitness to a level to carry more of the ruck load for the start of the season. 

New faces
James Frawley hasn't lost it. The premiership Hawk, who was pulled out of retirement by the Saints, played a commanding role in the back half alongside Dougal Howard and Callum Wilkie as Jake Carlisle watched on. Higgins and Wood shone, while Brad Crouch looks fitter and played the entire match as an inside midfielder. 

Young guns
With Crouch to miss the opening two rounds through his suspension, Jack Bytel put his hand up for early midfield minutes. The third-year Saint pushed forward to kick two goals in the first half and was used as a starting midfielder after the main break. First-year defender Tom Highmore was used only in the second half. 

Round one bolters
It's hard to see Wood not getting a round one berth off Wednesday's performance. While he slotted four goals, his hit-up work across half-forward was just as impressive and gave his former side the run-around. Forgotten defender Dan McKenzie was one of three Saints – along with Highmore and Luke Dunstan – used only after half-time and will be in the selection conversation to replace Ben Paton (broken leg). 

Switching positions
Saint Jack Sinclair looked sharp in his fresh role across half-back as the Saints look for extra options to replace Ben Paton (broken leg). Previously a midfielder/forward, Sinclair broke the lines and was used in a rotation that included Jimmy Webster, Ben Long, Nick Coffield and later McKenzie.

Fantasy tempters
Hunter should come under consideration for a bench spot with Marshall (foot) to sit out the opening rounds and ruck/forward option Shaun McKernan missing on Wednesday. Bytel's second pre-season hitout will be one to track should he be given more opportunity. Ziebell should get more footy across half-back but you'll need more convincing in the AAMI Community Series clash next week.