St Kilda have come up on top by 11 points in a tight affair against Carlton in both clubs' first pre-season clash this year.

The Saints dominated the territory in the opening term but struggled to convert their inside 50s, with Carlton leading by two goals at the first break thanks to a pair of early majors from spearhead Harry McKay.

St Kilda flipped the script for the remainder of the game however, with unheralded players and draftees leading the charge, while a shifty Blues forward began his trajectory for a breakout season.

Saints draftees, uncapped talent firm for Round 1 debuts

It was the young and inexperienced brigade of Saints that led the charge for St Kilda to turn around their quarter-time deficit, with draftees and untried players presenting their case to join the best 23.

Pick 45 Hugh Boxshall had a superb unofficial first outing at AFL level, matching the Blues' experienced midfield talent and sneaking forward to snare a goal in the second quarter.

The 18-year-old had tough matchups against Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra but managed to win the hard ball and be effective with disposal, suggesting he could be a bolter to debut in Round 1.

Draft-class counterpart Tobie Travaglia bobbed up plenty of times in the final term with clean possession by foot and by hand, including a 50-metre bomb on the run that sailed through the goals, exciting Saints fans on his versatile potential.

2024 mid-season draftee Max Hall impressed with his time in the middle as well, recording a goal on the run to boot, as did Irishman Liam O'Connell who was lively across the field.

SSP signing Harry Boyd held his own against another big body in Marc Pittonet in the ruck, sharing the hitout count fairly evenly with the Blue. Boyd looked solid in the ruck wrestles and once he learns the game plan and structure at the Saints he should become a valuable backup ruckman to Rowan Marshall.

Trio of injury scares but no carnage

Blues fans would have had their heart in their mouths on multiple occasions throughout the pre-season scratch match, with three key players showing signs of injury but seemingly recovered for the remainder of the match.

Adam Saad copped an innocuous knock to the knee on the cusp of halftime but brushed off the medical team. He hobbled towards the halftime huddle but returned to the field fit and firing for the second half.

Jagga Smith was next to limp on the field, suffering an impact injury from contact that resulted in a free kick. Smith hobbled to take his kick and then continued to struggle to weight-bare on his left foot. He didn't require much medical assistance however, but was rested from three-quarter-time for precautionary reasons.

Carlton assistant coach Tim Clarke said the injury was "nothing too serious".

"He got a knock to his knee late, so we kept him off as a precaution," Clarke said.

"It'll be looked at in the next couple of days, but at the moment it's nothing too serious."

Likewise, Nick Haynes did not return to the field after three-quarter-time and was seen talking with club doctors while holding his hamstring. Haynes grabbed behind his right upper leg after an intercept mark, but it looked likely to be a cramp, a highly plausible cause given the relentless heat of the day.

There is some concern for small forward Corey Durdin following a suspected ankle injury, with the Blues needing to "have a good look" at the ailment in the coming days.

"He got a little bit of a knock early in the game and came off," Clarke said.

"It's another one we're going to have to assess. [His ankle] probably wasn't good enough to go back on, which means we've got to have a good look at it."

Motlop pressing for improved 2025

Jesse Motlop showed he is ready to reach his best football again after an inconsistent 2024. Snagging a couple of goals and setting up others, it was a Motlop masterclass in the forward line on Saturday.

Motlop kicked just six goals from seven appearances in 2024, but was electrifying in his second season, kicking 24 goals from 21 games in 2023. If Saturday's output is anything to go by, Motlop looks lively for the Blues' Round 1 clash with Richmond.

Carlton reveal early season blow for star midfielder, forward also sidelined
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Jesse Motlop of the Blues in action during the round 23 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 21, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

With Richmond set to play a depleted, inexperienced side, Motlop looks primed to capitalise and begin his year with a starring performance.

The Blues will first play GWS in the Community Series however, while St Kilda host Port Adelaide at RSEA Park next week.