Membrey leads Saints

ST KILDA ushered in a new wave of recruits as key forward Tim Membrey stood tall in a 21-point win over Hawthorn in the AFL pre-season series opener.

Hawks star Tom Mitchell was typically prolific in his first serious hit-out in more than 500 days but teammate Ben McEvoy was an early casualty on Thursday night.

Alastair Clarkson’s experiment with McEvoy in defence lasted just two minutes as the premiership ruckman limped off with a corked thigh.

He was the only injury concern of any note.

Stand-in St Kilda captain Membrey bagged four goals from 24 disposals and 12 marks as the focal point in a new-look attack alongside trade acquisition Paddy Ryder and promising teenager Max King.

Small forward Jack Lonie kicked four majors as the Saints celebrated a return to their spiritual home at Moorabbin with a 17.9 (111) to 13.12 (90) victory.

Bradley Hill (18 disposals) provided his trademark run-and-carry in his first St Kilda outing while fellow recruit Dan Butler added some spark and Dougal Howard was steady in defence.

Brownlow medallist Mitchell started in the centre square and amassed a teamhigh 21 disposals for Hawthorn in three quarters before sitting out most of the final term.

Former Giants power forward Jon Patton floated in and out of the match but presented well and finished with 3.2 for the Hawks.

St Kilda legend Nicky Winmar, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and Australian cricket star Glenn Maxwell were among the crowd of about 8187.