What we learned:

Jack Billings and Jack Lonie were potent in attack, with Billings simply everywhere in the opening quarter, booting three goals in quick succession to demonstrate his nous inside 50 and further generate debate regarding which part of the ground he is best suited this season. Following a quiet showing against North Melbourne, Lonie was at his lively best. He chased, he created scoring opportunities and he produced a strong-four quarter effort to bounce back emphatically.

St Kilda’s final kick inside 50 has been an area of concern for a while now and it continued to be a source of frustration for Alan Richardson’s side on Sunday at Etihad Stadium. The Saints were wasteful in their forward half of the ground missing targets and choosing the wrong options at times. With Paddy McCartin unlikely to be fit for Round 1, the Saints forward setup requires some tinkering and is likely to mean Nick Riewoldt spends the bulk of his time in attack against Port Adelaide, alongside Josh Bruce, who looked dangerous at times against Tom McDonald.

Ruck spot still wide open - Longer? Hickey? Holmes?

Who leads the Saints ruck division against the Power? That question still remains unclear. Billy Longer was the man last season, but after working back from a shoulder reconstruction his spot is not certain at the moment. Tom Hickey and Jason Holmes rucked a half each against the Demons, with Hickey looking dangerous in attack, whilst the American’s ruck craft was impressive. Decisions, decisions.

Returning stars:

Age will not weary Leigh Montagna. That’s the bottom line after the seasoned star picked up where he left off last season in his first appearance of 2016, collecting 27 possessions and five inside 50s to hum along nicely. In a similar manner, David Armitage did his thing with 23 touches, bouncing back from an early collision the result of courageously running back with the flight.

Sam Fisher and Jarryn Geary also got through unscathed and performed strongly in defence, with Fisher getting the better of Melbourne wonder boy Jesse Hogan for much of the afternoon before Hogan sprung to life in the final term. And the skipper, whilst he finished the game with ice strapped to his calf, Richardson said post-game it was only a precautionary. Just under 70 per cent game time provides him with a sound base ahead of Round 1.

Injury watch:

All eyes will be on Nick Riewoldt ahead of Round 1 after the captain departed Sunday’s game prematurely with general tightness. Richardson said in his post mortem that Riewoldt’s early exit from the match was only a precaution and was not going to keep him out of travelling across to South Australia in a fortnight’s time.

Riewoldt fine for Round 1 says Richardson

New faces:

In his second appearance of the NAB Challenge series, 2015 first-round pick Jade Gresham produced another impressive display. The midfielder didn’t enter the game until the beginning of the second-half, but instantly got involved. Once again, his neat ball use and clean hands were features, demonstrating that he is more than capable at the level when the time comes for him to debut. Gresham finished with 11 disposals at a stunning efficiency rate of 91 per cent, and also accumulated four inside 50s from only 38 per cent game time. When the time’s right, expect to see Gresham slot into Alan Richardson’s side, potentially sooner rather than later.

Fantasy watch:

Jack Steven: 115 Supercoach points, 117 AFL Fantasy points
Leigh Montagna: 103 Supercoach points
Jack Billings: 85 Supercoach points