St Kilda ushered in a new wave of recruits as key forward Tim Membrey stood tall in a 21-point win over Hawthorn in the AFL pre-season series opener.
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Hawks star Tom Mitchell was typically prolific in his first serious hit-out in more than 500 days but teammate Ben McEvoy was an early casualty on Thursday night.
Alastair Clarkson's experiment with McEvoy in defence lasted just two minutes as the premiership ruckman limped off with a badly corked thigh.
He was the only injury concern of any note.
Stand-in St Kilda captain Membrey bagged four goals from 24 disposals and 12 marks as the focal point in a new-look attack alongside trade acquisition Paddy Ryder and promising teenager Max King.
Small forward Jack Lonie kicked four majors as the Saints celebrated a return to their spiritual home at Moorabbin with a 17.9 (111) to 13.12 (90) victory.
Bradley Hill (18 disposals) provided his trademark run-and-carry in his first St Kilda outing while fellow recruits Dan Butler, Dougal Howard and Ryan Abbott showed promising signs.
"We got a little bit of confidence out of that, a bit of connection and continuity with playing with each other," Saints coach Brett Ratten said.
Former Giants power forward Jon Patton floated in and out of his comeback match - having not played in almost 20 months - but presented well and finished with 3.2 in his first outing for Hawthorn.
Brownlow medallist Mitchell started in the centre square and amassed a team-high 21 disposals for the Hawks in three quarters before sitting out most of the final term.
"We've seen him do a lot of work over the summer, he's just had a gradual build and he's ready to play," Hawks coach Clarkson said.
"We're pleased he got that opportunity tonight.
"He played three quarters and got a bit of the footy and showed us that we'll be a better side with him back in it."
King was in the thick of the action early in his first outing against AFL opposition, but was quiet after quarter-time.
The 2018 No.4 draft pick kicked a goal and hit the post from two set shots during the first term and became involved in a scuffle with Sam Frost after pinning the new Hawk in a tackle.
Australian Associated Press
