The highlight for most St Kilda fans was the return from injury of defender Matt Maguire. Playing in the probables team against the possibles, Maguire played in his usual role at centre half-back and took no time in regaining his signature straight-backed strut.
But there were more stars in the stands than on the ground with Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Luke Ball, Adam Schneider, the Clarke brothers and Max Hudghton all watching on.
Justin Koschitzke and Stephen Milne were the standouts up forward, while Sam Gilbert was also tried in attack, suggesting that might be his new home for 2009.
Leigh Montagna, Robert Eddy and Nick Dal Santo showed plenty of form in the middle while Sam Fisher played his usual attacking role off half-back.
Off-season recruit Farren Ray seemed keen to prove a point, putting his head over the hard ball and gathering plenty of possessions.
Michael Gardiner and Steven King had a good battle in the ruck with neither showing any real supremacy.
But intra-club matches are all about unveiling the new recruits and no new recruit caught the crowd’s eye more than Tiwi Islands rookie Ross Tungatulum.
Weighing just 68 kg, Tungatulum showed blistering pace with the ball, good chasing speed, and even kicked a running goal late in the final term that brought the biggest cheer of the day.
It might be early in the season, but no stage of the year brings more hope to a footy supporter than intra-club matches in February.
And there was plenty of hope among the faithful at Moorabbin.
