The pair played between 75 and 85 per cent game time and made solid contributions despite the Cats' 40-point loss to Collingwood at Victoria Park.
Smedts spent time rotating between wing and half-back to gather 14 disposals, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s, while Kersten kicked two goals from limited opportunities.
"I came back better than I thought I would," Smedts told AFL.com.au after the match.
"It's definitely good to have the game under the belt, but there's still a lot of improving to go."
Smedts sustained a fracture in his leg, which was originally thought to be bone bruising, in a practice game against North Melbourne in March.
Kersten, who was pencilled in by the Cats' coaching staff at the beginning of the year as a replacement for the outgoing James Podsiadly, had surgery in March to fix a knee complaint.
Smedts' return on Saturday ended an 11-week stint on the sidelines.
"It was a pretty light knock. It hurt at the time but we just thought it was bone bruising and didn't think much of it," Smedts said.
"Two to three weeks came and I wasn't even close to running, so we thought we'd go in and have a look, so I got an x-ray and there was a little crack in there."
It was disappointing news for the 21-year-old, who had found his niche at half-back after a solid pre-season campaign.
After spending much of last year as Geelong's pressure half-forward, Cats coach Chris Scott felt Smedts needed a change of scenery.
"Early on in the pre-season I went to Scotty and said, 'If round one was tomorrow, what position do you think I'd play?'" Smedts said.
"He said half-back. So the whole pre-season I worked really closely with Andrew Mackie and Corey Enright, so when the season did come around I'd be in good shape.
"It is a new role and I am enjoying it down there."
Smedts believes he'll need at least three to four weeks of VFL gametime before being considered for senior selection.
But with Allen Christensen and Josh Caddy still to return in the latter half of the year, Smedts understands spots in Geelong's side are tough to come by.
"I'm not just going to get handed a game, I've still got to prove that I deserve one. I've just got to work my backside off, so I can jump in Scotty's face so that he plays me."
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
