WELCOME to the Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera era.

The 17.13 (115) to 10.12 (72) win over Essendon in Ballarat may have just been a pre-season match, but Wanganeen-Milera looked a class above, kicking four goals – including three in the first half – while playing predominantly in the midfield, also racking up 28 disposals and 805 metres gained. 

His connection with new Saint Liam Ryan was also notable when Wanganeen-Milera rested at full-forward, making the most of the former Eagle's relentless pressure and silky skills.

Fellow recruit Tom De Koning had a harder day in the Ballarat humidity, battling Lachie Blakiston in the ruck, while local boy Rowan Marshall played predominantly up forward.

Hugh Boxshall took the mark of the pre-season with a stunning grab on the wing during the second term. 

An even contest early gave way after the main change, with the Saints pulling ahead and finding multiple avenues to goal.

New faces
After a busy off-season, plenty of big-name recruits strutted their stuff in the red, white and black. New ruck Tom De Koning took the bulk of centre ball-ups, with former Sun Sam Flanders regularly in attendance as part of the Saints' apparent first-choice onball brigade alongside Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mattaes Phillipou. Liam Ryan brought pressure at both ends of the ground, including a goal-saving tackle in the second quarter. Draftee Charlie Banfield only took the field in the second half, and kicked the Saints' first goal of the final term after lining up on the wing.

Round one chance
Lock Ryan in for the Saints, with his pressure around the ground and ability to set up goals proving hugely beneficial for the Saints in the clash. Flanders is also clearly a lock, while Boxshall's willingness to put his body on the line will have him in the frame for selection.

ST KILDA              4.4     7.8     12.10     17.13 (115)
ESSENDON           3.3     6.6      8.10       10.12 (72)

GOALS
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera 4, Higgins 3, Marshall 2, Owens 2, Stocker, Macrae, Garcia, Sharman, Ryan, Banfield
Essendon: Wright 2, Langford 2, May 2, Caddy, El Achkar, Clarke, Fiorini

BEST
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Windhager, Sinclair, Boxshall, Ryan
Essendon: Roberts, Blakiston, Johnson, Langford, Fiorini

INJURIES
St Kilda: Hill (illness), Wilkie (corked calf), Byrnes (ankle)
Essendon: Nil