A buoyant St Kilda will steam into its Round 1 opener full of confidence after storming past Carlton by 26 points in the AAMI Community Series opener at Marvel Stadium.

The Saints held a steady four-goal buffer for majority of proceedings, and despite a quick-fire resurgence from the Blues late in the game, held on to record a 15.9 (99) to 19.11 (125) victory.

Brett Ratten’s troops were particularly eye-catching through their offensive run and heavy scoring rate – which yielded 30 scoring shots from 12 different goalkickers by the final siren – however conceded several opposition goals from defensive-50 stoppages.

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Jack Sinclair (28 disposals, seven inside-50s) and Jack Lonie (four goals, 11 score involvements) were among St Kilda’s best on Thursday evening, while Bradley Hill gave Saints fans a delectable entrée to his gameplay under the roof with 25 touches and a brilliant goal on the run.

The No. 8 went at 88 per cent efficiency, picked up 15 handball receives and racked up a whopping 849 metres gained for the night.

Hill was joined through the middle by co-captain Jack Steele (27 disposals) and Seb Ross (25), while Dougal Howard (14 disposals, 528 metres gained) and Tim Membrey (three goals) were terrific focal points in their respective domains.

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Zacs Fisher and Williams were among Carlton’s most impressive, while Sam Walsh and Marc Pittonet battled hard through the midfield.

It will be an incredibly nervous weekend for the Blues following injuries to Harry McKay (ankle), Jacob Weitering (hip) and Jack Newnes (ankle), while Williams will be sweating on a high hit on Hunter Clark in the opening seconds of the match.

The Saints were dealt their own injury blow through James Frawley in the first term, with a suspected hamstring injury likely to put the key defender on ice.

It did little to halt their opening quarter onslaught which brought about eight goals from seven different goalkickers – the first of which was registered by Max King (three goals) in under a minute.

Recent signee Paul Hunter (13 disposals, 23 hit-outs, one goal) joined the list of scorers with a deft snap around the body moments later, but it was Lonie’s volley off the deck in the second quarter which took out goal of the night.

00:47

AAMI Series | Slick Saints show off some serious smarts

St Kilda conjures a dazzling goal through debutant Paul Hunter.

Fisher and Jack Silvagni combined for five goals to spearhead Carlton’s attack, while train-on Blue Oscar McDonald stepped up inside the arc following Harry McKay’s injury with two goals and six marks.

Shaun McKernan (13 hit-outs, seven marks, one goal) complemented the Saints’ forward line of the lively Jack Higgins (24 disposals, one goal) and Dan Butler (one goal), while King appeared damaging before being rested in the final term.

Down the other end, Nick Coffield (16 disposals, six rebound-50s) and Callum Wilkie (13 disposals, six marks) were terrific in the air, while Tom Highmore showed glimpses from his limited game-time.

New faces

Jack Higgins was increidbly energetic inside-50, finishing with 24 touches and 1.3. Two of those minor scores just clipped the top of the post. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

The Saints might have lost James Frawley to an early hamstring injury, but fellow new recruit Jack Higgins continued to impress with 24 disposals and a goal. Paul Hunter started hot and had 23 hit-outs and kicked a nice goal, working well in tandem with another ruck recruit in Shaun McKernan. Star free agent Brad Crouch finished with 12 disposals in just over a half, while Mason Wood and Tom Highmore also played limited minutes. 

Medical room

James Frawley comes from the ground after injuring his hamstring. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

James Frawley pulled up with a hamstring injury midway through the first quarter. However, the Saints have depth in reserve, with Jake Carlisle expected to play a VFL practice match on Friday. Paddy Ryder was rested on Thursday night out of precaution following a head knock, while Dan Hannebery (calf) and Zak Jones (hamstring) still haven't officially been ruled out of Round 1. Dean Kent (knee) will play in a VFL practice match on Friday.

CARLTON  5.1  9.2  12.8  15.9 (99)
ST KILDA  8.1  13.5  15.8  19.11 (125) 

GOALS
Carlton: Silvagni 3, Pittonet 2, McDonald 2,Williams 2, Fisher 2, Murphy 2, Saad, Cuningham
St Kilda: Lonie 4, King 3, Membrey 3, Hunter, Battle, Hill, Butler, Higgins, Gresham, Ross, Sinclair, McKernan

BEST
Carlton: Williams, Fisher, Walsh, Silvagni, Pittonet, Jones, Murphy
St Kilda: Sinclair, Lonie, Steele, Ross, Membrey, Hill, Howard, Clark, Higgins

INJURIES
Carlton: McKay (ankle), Newnes (ankle), Weitering (hip)
St Kilda: Frawley (hamstring)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 10,228 at Marvel Stadium

07:14

AAMI Series | Highlights v Blues

Recap all the action from the Saints' shootout against the Blues at Marvel Stadium.

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