With a new season comes new opportunity, and as the Saints ran out on Sunday afternoon, two mature-age recruits realised their long-awaited AFL dreams.

And it was the pair of debutants in Callum Wilkie and Matty Parker who found the crowd’s voice.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Saints down Suns

Wearing St Kilda Hall of Famer Stephen Milne’s famous No. 44, Wilkie couldn’t have asked for a better start at the top level.

The first clearance of the game fell the Suns way, but Wilkie rose to the occasion, jagging an impressive contested mark before hitting his target with a spearing left foot.

A premiership player with North Adelaide in 2018, Wilkie wasn’t daunted by the step-up, oozing composure in defence all day and collecting eight intercept possesions.

At the other end of the ground, Matty Parker provided every bit of the spark the Saints’ recruiting department saw in him.

Parker’s well-storied journey to the big-time was punctuated by a special pre-game jumper presentation from fellow indigenous South Fremantle product, the legendary Nicky Winmar.

The Perth native’s determination to forge a career in the AFL was clear from the outset as he brought his trademark aggression and flair in spades.

Parker’s hunger was exemplified by a series of repeat efforts early in the second term which forced a boundary throw-in, drawing a standing ovation and a deafening roar from the red, white and black faithful.

FIRST GOAL: Saints surround an ecstatic Matty Parker

While he was dually taken with the debutants’ efforts, senior coach Alan Richardson was most impressed by his side’s ability to hold on against a surging Gold Coast in the last quarter.

“There’s been a real spirit of resilience shown by the players, and they had to do it again today,” Richardson said.

Gold Coast were coming really strong … so it was good that our guys were able to hang in there and get the win."

“I was just really pleased for our players and for our fans, because of all the uncertainty and how our team would cope with some of the players out of the team.”

LOUD AND PROUD: Saints belt out the song

While the one-point margin was hardly convincing, the Saints nonetheless start Season 2019 on the right foot; with a win.

The smarting Bombers present the next test on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium, with the Saints determined to earn another four points.