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When the final siren blew on Saturday it was North Melbourne victorious over St Kilda by 44 points.
The Saints played a with a lot intensity in the first half, but once they began to tire the Roos’ class really shone through.
Both sides played true to form really – the plucky Saints tried hard but didn’t have the quality, while the Roos weathered something of a storm before clearing away.
In the preview I said the Saints had a bit of question mark around their first 22, but the likes of Shane Savage and particularly Seb Ross made a pretty strong statement with good games today. Blake Acres also showed some good things.
Apart from that though it’s hard to identify standout players. The likes of Josh Saunders, Eli Templeton, Tom Curren, Jimmy Webster, Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller popped up from time to time but didn’t really shine over the whole of the game. The Saints need some of these guys to step up in 2016.
Unfortunately Patrick McCartin picked up a hamstring injury, which will interrupt his pre-season somewhat, I should think.
For North, Mason Wood is the big story. Four goals and in general a pretty impressive performance. He got a few chances last year but he looks like he could play 22 games and beyond this year. There is definitely a space in the Roos’ forwardline for a mobile third tall.
Of the other youngsters, Luke McDonald was solid, and Ryan Clarke and Brayden Preuss showed some signs.
But really the strength in North’s team is in the veterans, and Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey and Jack Ziebell all made solid contributions.
Final score
St Kilda 1.9.10 73
North Melbourne 0.18.9 117
The NAB Challenge tour of Australia finds itself in Wangaratta this afternoon, as the North Melbourne Kangaroos face off against the St Kilda Saints. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting at 2:05pm AEDT.
This afternoon we get our first look at two teams that likely have very different expectations for 2016.
After defeats in preliminary finals in consecutive years, North are looking to win exactly two more games this season.
St Kilda will be hoping to build on the solid progress they’ve made in the past twelve months, but finals probably aren’t the expectation.
As is normal for the first game of the pre-season, both teams are missing many of their better players.
St Kilda have left Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, David Armitage, Sam Fisher, Billy Longer and Dylan Roberton out of the initial squad.
North have named a strong team, but will be without Nick Dal Santo, Todd Goldstein, Ben Brown, Sam Gibson, Daniel Wells and Lachie Hansen.
Based on the names picked, you’d think the Roos are taking this game a little more seriously.
As always, the focus at this stage of the pre-season is on the new players, and those on the fringes of the team trying to make the case for Round 1 selection.
Jed Anderson makes his first appearance for the Roos after being traded from Hawthorn. Farren Ray is also a likely starter against the club that delisted him a few months ago.
Draftees Corey Wagner, Ryan Clarke and Declan Mountford have been named in the squad.
It’s tough getting a regular game at North these days, so every minute of the pre-season will be important for the likes of Trent Dumont, Kayne Turner, Taylor Garner, Mason Wood and Aaron Black.
For St Kilda, there aren’t any recruits from other clubs, but they’ll be glad to see a bit more of talented youngsters Patrick McCartin, Eli Templeton and particularly Jack Billings.
Jade Gresham is likely to play his first competitive game after being drafted.
With first choice ruckman Billy Longer missing, Tom Hickey and Jason Holmes will be keen to make an impact.
And with no Steven, Armitage or Montagna, the Saints’ midfield will look quite different today. That creates chances for the likes of Luke Dunstan, Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller, who’ve been solid if not spectacular contributors.
St Kilda fans will also want to see that Josh Bruce and Jimmy Webster can kick on from good seasons in 2015.
From the outside it’s a little hard to be certain who is and isn’t in the Saints’ best 22. Blake Acres, Seb Ross, Sam Gilbert, Luke Delaney, Hugh Goddard, Josh Saunders, Shane Savage, Cameron Shenton and Jack Sinclair are probably all somewhere around the fringes.
The Saints have a number of fairly mature players who aren’t quite settled in the team. Alan Richardson will expect these guys to show a lot of intensity in games like this.
So while North look the stronger team on paper, and should have a decent win, you’d expect St Kilda to be competitive for patches at least.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting at 2:05pm AEDT.
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