St Kilda recruit Trent Dennis-Lane made an instant impact with two goals in a 26-point thumping of an under-strength Adelaide in Sunday’s AFL pre-season cup match.
The Saints won 0.8.2 (50) to 0.3.6 (24) in the first of three matches at AAMI Stadium.
Dennis-Lane, Terry Milera and Beau Maister each kicked two goals for St Kilda, while veteran Graham Johncock kicked all of Adelaide’s goals.
St Kilda kept Adelaide goal-less in the opening half of a match played in searing 38-degree heat, while kicking four majors themselves.
Small Saints Milera, Dennis-Lane and Ahmed Saad all potted early goals and formed a dangerous forward line against a Crows outfit missing nine top-line players.
Dennis-Lane, in his first official match for the Saints after being traded by Sydney, added another second-half goal while spearhead Maister also kicked goals in each half.
The duo benefitted from frequent chances provided by a dominant midfield headed by Farren Ray, Jack Steven and David Armitage.
And the Saints were also in control defensively, with creative backmen Arryn Sippos and James Gwilt gathering repeated disposals across half-back.
In contrast, Adelaide struggled for cohesion and didn’t register a major until the second minute of the second half when veteran Graham Johncock strolled into an open goal.
Johncock booted two more in the half but was the sole shining light in attack for the Crows.
The Saints next play Port Adelaide before the Power meet Adelaide in the final game of the triple-header.