Fresh faces help resurgent St Kilda smoke Essendon as Membrey makes successful return to footy
The Saints unleashed some fresh faces in their first hit-out of the season, with new recruits Darcy Wilson and Riley Bonner making a splash. Meanwhile Brad Scott would have been left wondering what his Bombers got out of the thumping.
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St Kilda’s new recruits Darcy Wilson and Riley Bonner put in slashing auditions for round 1 as a new-look Saints side impressed in a Moorabin practice match against Essendon.
The Saints’ only setback was a broken hand to Marcus Windhager – 12 months on from an identical injury against Essendon – but the midfielder should still be available for round 1.
Ross Lyon’s Saints looked well-drilled and dangerous as talls Tim Membrey, Cooper Sharman and Max King combined for 10 goals in a 66-point victory at a windy Moorabbin Oval.
Brad Scott would have been desperate for new recruits Ben McKay, Jade Gresham and Xavier Duursma to put in impressive first-up performances.
Only Gresham made an early impact as the busy small forward hit up new teammates Mason Redman and Kyle Langford with early goal assists against his old side.
But in a contest where St Kilda piled on seven straight goals at one stage, No. 18 draft pick Darcy Wilson shone like a beacon with his class and capacity to find the ball at will.
The running machine handed Tim Membrey the first goal of the game then effortlessly marked on the lead ahead of Jayden Laverde to showcase his full suite of skills.
Ross Lyon arrived at St Kilda praising the club’s elite runners and Wilson will only take that group to a new level as a 2024 Rising Star contender.
The Saints gave up an early pick for Wilson but Bonner came cheap as chips in the pre-season draft.
In a backline that features quality ball users Jack Sinclair and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera he was everywhere with clinical disposal and intent to push forward.
He weighted a perfect pass to Cooper Sharman for an early goal then got in on the act himself with a long bomb from 50m with the wind.
Ex-Fremantle wingman Liam Henry found plenty of the footy playing wing and midfield kicking his own snapped goal and releasing No. 50 draft pick Hugo Garcia into goal with a deft over-the-head handball.
SLIM PICKINGS FOR ESSENDON
Dons fans who had crossed the river to assess what has changed at Essendon over the summer got very little for their investment.
Gresham was clearly the most impressive of the new players, adding spark and vision when Essendon did find a way forward.
McKay was out marked twice by Max King (four goals) and had some shaky moments, while at least Zach Reid got through a half playing full back before he was warehoused along with Jake Stringer, Zach Merrett and Goldstein at half time.
Reid played on the last line – often on King – and very much looked the part.
Nic Martin played half back again and tried to piece St Kilda’s cloying defensive wall but with little effect.
And while Kyle Langford broke a seven-goal run of St Kilda majors, the forward line missing Peter Wright coughed and spluttered.
Archie Perkins was quiet and while his fellow top-10 pick Nik Cox got some valuable game time it is hard to see where he fits into this side despite an encouraging pre-season.
To be brutally honest it was hard to see what Brad Scott would have got from this contest apart from Reid’s performance, some fitness and an absence of injuries.
TIM’S BACK
What a joy to watch St Kilda key forward Tim Membrey back strutting his stuff in front of the faithful on a day where the talls dominated and Jack Higgins also kicked three goals.
Membrey battled with a serious knee issue early last year then withdrew from the club’s final against GWS on game morning.
He is strong of body and mind after a low-key but excellent pre-season and was given a rousing Moorabbin cheer when he slotted the second of his three goals, a gorgeous set shot from the boundary line.
Saints assistant coach Robert Harvey was confident key forwards Max King and Tim Membrey can renew their impressive partnership this year after the duo shared seven goals in an impressive win over Essendon.
Membrey (three goals), King (four goals) and Cooper Sharman (three goals) combined beautifully, with Membrey on track for a big year after pulling out of last year’s final with personal issues.
Harvey is hopeful King and Membrey can return to their form of their 2022 partnership (86 goals) after only 18 games between them last year.
“There is no reason why they can’t,” he said.
“Max has been back in full program for a long time after the shoulder, Tim has had a full pre-season so there is no reason why those guys can’t have strong years for us and play most of the games and they are well prepared.
“You see Tim back after what he went through last year playing alongside Max is promising
“They love playing together and we injected (Darcy) Wilson and (Liam) Henry into the front half and it spices it up even more.”
Number 18 draft pick Wilson looks a lock for round 1 and No.50 draft pick Hugo Garcia is clearly in that selection mix given his pace and precision off half back.
“Everyone likes to see young players come into your team and they are the future,” Harvey said.
“(Wilson) has fitted in really well, he’s got a great attitude, and he comes from a great family so to see him and Hugo Garcia come in and do some stuff for us and Liam Henry from another club, it was really good to see and it will excite the fans.”
The Saints expect best-and-fairest winner Jack Sinclair to play in that round 1 clash as he recovers from calf tightness, but Paddy Dow (knee) and Dan Butler (toe) are touch and go.
St Kilda takes on North Melbourne at Moorabbin next Sunday in their final warm-up with Brad Crouch (knee) and Zak Jones (concussion) in the mix to play some minutes.
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