Carlton vs St Kilda match simulation: Harry Boyd, Hugh Boxshall star in Saints win

A young Saints midfielder has surged into the frame for an early-season debut after helping lift St Kilda to a come-from-behind pre-season victory over Carlton.

St Kilda unearthed a few potential early season bolters with Harry Boyd, Hugh Boxshall and Liam O’Connell shining in an 11-point match simulation victory over Carlton on Saturday, while exciting No.8 draft pick Tobie Travaglia staked his claim for a potential round 1 debut.

After Ross Lyon’s young Saints conceded the first three goals of the game, including two majors kicked by Harry McKay, they controlled the rest of the contest winning a game marred by heat and strong winds.

St Kilda head of strategy and game plan Corey Enright said after the game the coaching staff had been delighted with the players who had put their hands up for potential senior selection this year.

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It was a spirited performance in the trial game given they were minus stars such as Rowan Marshall, Jack Sinclair and Max King.

“Those (young) guys have trained hard all summer and it is good for them to get the opportunity,” Enright said,

“We have obviously seen (Hugo) Garcia play a little bit last year and Hugh Boxshall is a first-year player … for him to come in today and show what he was capable of was good.

“It wasn’t just those two. There were a handful of other guys who got an opportunity and they showed why they are on a list.

“Liam O’Connell, the Irish boy, impressed us today. Angus Hastie and Max Hall, there were a lot of players who haven’t played a lot (who performed well).”

Jack Macrae leads George Hewett to the ball.

Travaglia, who was picked up by the Saints in the first round of last year’s draft, only played the final term of the senior match but turned in one of the game’s biggest highlights with a 50m long bomb goal that showed his class and sense of theatre.

Enright joked after the game: “He (Travaglia) sort of celebrated to the crowd … there wasn’t much of a crowd, it would have been nice for him to run to his teammates.”

No. 8 Pick Tobie Travaglia unloads from 50 😇

🎥: Kayo Sports/Fox Sports pic.twitter.com/SNpbNcrn4L

— AFL (@AFL) February 22, 2025

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“That’s exciting. We felt it in the box, you would have felt it watching, and the players felt it. He is really early into his AFL journey and you saw a glimpse of what he is capable of.”

In Marshall’s absence, the mature-aged Boyd had the most minutes in the ruck against experienced pair Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning.

Mitch Owens outmarks Mitch McGovern.

Jack Steele launches St Kilda forward.

Boyd, 26, was considered the best ruckman in the SANFL last year and landed the last spot on the Saints’ list last month as an SSP selection.

Marshall is racing the clock to be ready for St Kilda’s round 1 away clash with Adelaide on March 16 due to injury, which means Boyd is a chance to make his debut.

“All things are tracking pretty well for Rowan … (but) it was great to see Boyd, who played more minutes than Max Heath, competing,” Enright said.

“He has a big body and a big presence. In his first game under pressure against pretty good ruckmen, we thought he held his own and gave us some presence around the ball.”

Nick Haynes goes down with cramp.

Jaxon Binns and Hugo Garcia tangle.

MOTS MAKES HIS MARK

It was a mixed bag for Blues teammates and housemates Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin as Carlton looked to finalise plans for the small forwards to take on the Tigers next month.

Motlop clearly has the early running after booting three goals against the Saints and giving off another to new Blue Lucas Camporeale, which provided one of the highlights for the home side.

After a flawless preseason following a frustrating 2024 season, Motlop looked dangerous around goal and the contest.

His handball in traffic late in the game gifted Camporeale with a goal after he had come on at three quarter-time.

It brought about a big celebration from his teammates who got around him.

Clean hands from the Blues and father-son draftee Lucas Camporeale converts 💙

🎥: Kayo Sports/Fox Sports pic.twitter.com/oQqmbhdQ2M

— AFL (@AFL) February 22, 2025

Hugh Boxshall made a strong case for a round 1 AFL debut.

Carlton assistant coach Tim Clarke said the youthful energy in attack had given some of the senior guys a lift.

“When you see one of the young guys kick a goal at the end and see the boys get around him, (it’s exciting),” Clarke said.

“It’s only a practice game, but it is a credit to the hard work they have been able to put in. They are all fighting for spots in our round 1 team.”

He said Motlop had put in a power of work across the preseason after an injury-hit 2024.

“He (Motlop) has come back in terrific shape. I think today you saw the energy he provided in (forward) defence … he got after St Kilda’s players when they had the ball but (also) his ability to be able to get after the loose ball and be creative in the forward line.”

Durdin only played a few moments of the third term before going off with what looked like an ankle injury. He will be assessed through the week.

Lachie Fogarty dives forward to mark.

JAGGA’S MOVES

It started with a blind turn around two Saints and a mistimed kick into a swirling wind and ended with a sore knee which saw him sit out the final term … but Jagga Smith is definitely going to turn heads in Navy Blue.

The Blues’ No.3 draft pick looked impressive during the Saints’ trial game.

His first touch in Blues colours might not have been executed as he would have wanted, but it showed the beautiful balance and movement he has.

Smith got the ball between the wing and half forward and as two St Kilda players closed in on him, he almost pirouetted around them then in a blind turn.

It brought about almost the biggest roar from the 5200 fans in attendance at IKON Park, even if the kick skewed off the side of his boot.

Clarke said: “For us, a lot of the footwork and creatively Jagga plays with, we’ve seen all preseason. He creates space, he is very good with his pressure. I think he is going to bring a lot of excitement to our team.”

“Every time he got the ball there was a little of a roar, he has been great around the group (with) the energy that he provides around the ball. He will be a good player.”

There was a scare in the camp briefly when running defender Adam Saad went down with an injury just before half-time.

But those fears were allayed soon after when he got to his feet and he played out the game in the second half.