St Kilda notch up first win of 2019 with 25-point win over North Melbourne in JLT Series clash

North Melbourne was beaten on the scoreboard and was also left counting the cost of their first pre-season clash against St Kilda with Aaron Hall suffering a knee injury, while Saints defender Dylan Roberton made a successful return from a heart scare.

Dylan Roberton was excellent down back. Picture: Michael Klein

St Kilda closed out a challenging week in the best possible fashion with an impressive 25-point JLT Community Series win over North Melbourne at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee.

The Saints were rocked by a triple dose of bad news during the week — with Jack Steven taking a break from the game to deal with a mental health issue, Jake Carlisle almost certainly requiring surgery on his troublesome back and star recruit Dan Hannebery considered a doubtful starter to take on Gold Coast in Round 1.

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But those few Saints fans who braved the oppressive heat to be at the game — and the many more watching on television — would have felt there were some solid signs the club isn’t going to be the pushover many think they will be this year.

In contrast, the Kangaroos have a bit of work to do ahead of their Round 1 clash with Fremantle, though coach Brad Scott is confident his club will have everything in place to take on Fremantle in Perth in the opening match.

Jamie Macmillan was outstanding for the Kangaroos. He finished with 40 disposals.

Jack Lonie and Jade Gresham celebrate a goal during the win over North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

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ROBBO RETURNS

There were positives aplenty for the Saints, but none more so than the return of Dylan Roberton for his first competitive game against an opposition team since collapsing in a game against Geelong in Round 4 last year.

Roberton, who will be a virtual new recruit this year, marshalled the troops across half back against the Roos and helped himself to 21 touches with eight marks.

The Saints’ midfield looked more efficient and deliberate in their build-up — perhaps with a little Brett Ratten influence added in — and had 130 less disposals than the over-possessing Kangaroos but still managed to kick 15 goals to 11, including eight majors in the second term.

Paddy McCartin and Tim Membrey took advantage of an understrength and youthful North Melbourne defence to kick two goals each, new Saints Matthew Parker, Nick Hind and Dean Kent showed some good signs, Callum Wilkie had to play much of the game in the ruck after Lewis Pierce suffered concussion early, and Josh Bruce showed he will be an important player if he can keep his body sound this year.

Dylan Roberton was excellent down back. Picture: Michael Klein

HALL DODGES BULLET

It looked like being the worst possible start for Aaron Hall in Kangaroos’ colours.

Just 10 minutes into his first appearance for the club, the former Gold Coast player went down clutching his knee, with what looked like a serious blow for the club. He was helped from the ground by two trainers and disappeared into the rooms, with fears his season could be in jeopardy.

But after an assessment from medicos, and with some strapping applied to his left knee, Hall emerged from the rooms to the relief of Kangaroos fans.

He came back onto the field — in the middle — at the start of the second term, but was rested in the second half, with the club opting to take the cautious approach.

There were a few Kangaroos in the wars. Shaun Higgins was left with a ‘shiner’ and some stitches after some ‘friendly fire’ in the third term with Kanye Turner, while Tarryn Thomas — who showed some good early signs — copped a cut above the eye that also required stitches.

Aaron Hall suffered a knee injury early in the loss. Picture: Michael Klein

FIFTY STRIKE

The AFL warned that they would only give one warning for a team before penalising it if a player is caught outside the 6-6-6 set-up, and that’s what happened.

Seb Ross was caught in no-man’s land midway through the term, caught between the 50m arc and the centre square.

The umpires had no hesitation in penalising the Saints, which under the new rules results in a free kick and 50m penalty.

PROLIFIC POLEC

We all know that North Melbourne hasn’t got Jared Polec cheap, but in his first competitive game in Kangaroos’ colours he showed why his new team was so keen to prise him out of Port Adelaide.

Polec had 27 disposals and gave the Kangaroos plenty of drive as the best of his team’s recruits in their opening JLT game.

Jasper Pittard was solid, booting a goal off a set play as he swept past Kayne Turner in the third term.

Tom Campbell will be a back-up ruck option for Todd Goldstein, Dom Tyson showed why he is fast becoming a favourite of coach Brad Scott, while youngsters Bailey Scott and Tarryn Thomas put their hands up for possible selection in Round 1.

Jared Polec was a standout in his first game in North Melbourne colours. Picture: Michael Klein

HELTER SWELTER

The Kangaroos and the Saints had to deal with the oppressive heat with a few modifications to their JLT structures, but it wasn’t without its issues.

While the AFL allowed some extra times at the breaks — quarter and half time breaks were extended to eight minutes and halftime extended to 22 — a power outage on the boundary line meant the super high-pressure fans were out of action for a period.

Both teams went into the rooms at each break.

The heat impacted on the main scoreboard which froze at 14.01 in the second quarter, leaving the fans guessing before clicking back into gear again.

The weather, combined with traffic issues associated with the Avalon Airshow, meant only 1596 fans were in attendance.

GLENN McFARLANE’S BEST

St Kilda: Steele, Ross, Billings, Roberton, Brown, Membrey, Newnes, Savage, McCartin

North Melbourne: Macmillan, Polec, Williams, Dumont, Tyson, Davies-Uniacke, Goldstein