SAM FLANDERS was a standout in his St Kilda debut, but it was the Saints' lesser lights that stole the show in their 71-point match simulation thumping of Gold Coast on Thursday night.

After trailing by nine points at quarter-time, St Kilda kicked 14 of the final 15 goals to steamroll the Suns at People First Stadium, 16.11 (107) to 4.12 (36).

Flanders excelled against his former club, using his exceptional workrate to help defensively and then link up through the middle of the ground to help them sweep the ball from one end to the other.

While others fumbled the greasy ball, Flanders was clean and stood out in the scrappy contest.

Fellow recruit Jack Silvagni had his first outing cut short after being ruled out with concussion during the first half, while Tom De Koning did some nice things in the ruck and Liam Ryan looked lively in the front half.

But it was the already-established Saints that shone, led by 2025 find Max Hall excelling with four goals – including two from 50m – Marcus Windhager providing great punch from the back half and Jack Higgins also bobbing up with three goals.

Anthony Caminiti and new co-skipper Cal Wilkie were sound in the key defensive posts, as was youngster Alix Tauru, while Mitch Owens was a constant source of danger inside 50.

GOLD COAST          3.3     3.8      3.11      4.12 (36)
ST KILDA                2.0     4.5     11.8     16.11 (107)
 
GOALS
Gold Coast: Lombard, Moyle, Humphrey, Ugle-Hagan
St Kilda: Hall 4, Higgins 3, Wilson 2, Marshall, Phillipou, Owens, Sharman, Boxshall, Byrnes, Ryan