Teenager Tobie Travaglia, recruited with the No.8 pick in last year's draft, came on in the last quarter and showed his potential with a booming goal from outside 50m that sealed Saturday's win at Ikon Park.
Fellow 18-year-old Hugh Boxshall, the Saints' No.45 pick in the draft, did well in the midfield and kicked a goal as they beat the Blues 10.9 (69) to 8.10 (58).
Harry Boyd, who only joined the Saints last month, also impressed in the ruck and could be a round-one bolter if Rowan Marshall does not recover in time from his pelvis injury.
Boyd, 26, won the Magarey Medal last year in the SANFL last season and was a key player in Norwood's 2022 premiership.
St Kilda have had a bad injury run through the pre-season, giving newcomers such as Boyd, Boxshall and Travaglia their chance to stake early senior claims.
Playing on a wing, Irish recruit Liam McConnell was another player who did his round-one chances no harm.
Assistant coach Corey Enright jokingly mocked Travaglia's celebration after his goal.
"He celebrated to the crowd ... it would have been nice if he ran to his teammates," Enight said.
"That's genuine excitement ... our players definitely felt it.
"You saw a glimpse of what he's capable of and that's all you can ask."
Enright said McConnell was a "good character" who showed he is capable of playing at AFL level.
He praised Boyd for how well he partnered with Max Heath against Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning.
"Under pressure - a pretty good ruckman (that) he played against today - we thought he obviously held his own and gave us a real presence around the ball," Enright said of Boyd.
Carlton's No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith limped off with a knee injury after some strong form earlier in the game, but assistant coach Tim Clarke is confident he is not badly hurt.
"He just got a knock to his knee late in the game. We kept him off as a precaution, nothing too serious," Clarke said.
"He's going to bring a lot of excitement to our team. He's going to be a good player."
Star midfielder Sam Walsh trained on Saturday as he returns from his pre-season hamstring injury.
"Sam's progressing really well, he's done a power of work," Clarke said.
Walsh could play in Friday's pre-season game against GWS, while St Kilda will host Port Adelaide next Saturday at Moorabbin.
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