Gold Coast Suns vs St Kilda Saints match simulation scores and updates, blog, stats, squads, latest news

Recruit Sam Flanders starred through the midfield and Max Hall bagged four goals as Ross Lyon’s new-look Saints began 2026 on a high note with a dominant match simulation win over Gold Coast.

St Kilda had 10 individual goalscorers including Hall (four), Jack Higgins (three) and Darcy Wilson (two) in the 71-point victory in dewy conditions at People First Stadium, 16.11 (107) to 4.12 (36).

But in a concern for the Saints, fellow addition Jack Silvagni (concussion) failed to return after quarter-time to put the recruit in doubt for Opening Round.

Watch the 2026 AFL pre-season match sims and AAMI Community Series LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

There was otherwise plenty to cheer about for Saints fans including a dominant seven goal to none third term to really separate the game.

Flanders was the most impressive of St Kilda’s new faces, with the on-baller racking up plenty of touches in a pure midfield role.

Gold Coast recruit Christian Petracca starred in Gold Coast’s engine room in the first half before being managed in the second half, while fellow addition Jamarra Ugle-Hagan bagged just one goal in a tough night for key forwards.

THE 3-2-1 (what we learned)…

3. PROMISING SIGNS AS SAINTS ‘HANDLED CONDITIONS BETTER’

It might’ve only been match simulation, but Saints fans watching at home would’ve very much liked what they saw across the board.

In a game without proper stats, Alix Tauru very much passed the eye test and had some strong moments in defence working alongside Callum Wilkie.

Sam Flanders was everywhere as the recruit led a new-look midfield alongside the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mattaes Phillipou and fellow addition Tom De Koning, who the new ruck rules appeared to suit.

And who needs Max King when Max Hall (four goals) and Jack Higgins (three) are combing for seven majors?

Ahead of a 2026 season where the Saints are going to be firmly in the spotlight after an aggressive off-season of recruiting, they looked every bit capable of making a leap in an impressive first hitout from Ross Lyon’s troops.

It included a seven goal to nothing blitz in the third term where St Kilda’s pressure and ability to link up and score in tough conditions on the Gold Coast really stood out.

“They’ve shared it around. I’ve liked their pressure, run forward and their use of the footy. I think they’ve probably handled the conditions better than the Suns. It might be weird saying that,“ ex-Lion Richard Champion said on Kayo Sports.

2. BUT RECRUIT STRUCK DOWN

The only real sour note from a St Kilda perspective was Jack Silvangi getting struck down with concussion.

Silvagni appeared to sustain the injury while running back with the flight in the first term in an innocuous incident in a marking contest.

It was the last we saw of the ex-Blue in his new colours after he didn’t return after quarter-time.

The setback puts Silvagni in doubt for St Kilda’s Opening Round clash with Collingwood in 17 days, even if he could be technically cleared from concussion protocols by then.

And it continues a frustrating first pre-season at Moorabbin for Silvagni that’s been hampered by a groin issue.

1. MIXED BAG FOR NEW SUNS

Forget the scoreboard.

All Suns fans’ eyes would’ve been on Christian Petracca and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in the marquee recruits’ first unofficial game in their new colours ahead of a campaign with added expectation on the club.

Petracca was among the Suns’ prime movers on Thursday night, while Ugle-Hagan was quiet in a tough night for key forwards in slippery conditions.

Petracca got all the midfield time he could handle with Gold Coast’s usual star on-ball duo Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell missing, before the former Demon was managed in the second half.

And the Norm Smith medallist did some typically special Petracca things and at times looked a class above when others weren’t as clean.

It wasn’t as much of a smooth first showing for Ugle-Hagan, who struggled to win contests up forward in dewy conditions.

Ugle-Hagan didn’t bag his first goal until the fourth quarter in a major that snapped two-straight goalless terms for the Suns.

But again, it was a tough night for all key forwards where the delivery going inside Gold Coast’s forward 50 wasn’t great either. And Ugle-Hagan should only benefit from having Ben King by his side come the season proper.

“Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has found it tough tonight,” ex-Lion Richard Champion said on Kayo Sports.

Re-live Suns vs Saints below!

SUNS v SAINTS SQUADS

4 x 20-minute quarters, plus time-on – People First Stadium, 6:45pm AEST

GOLD COAST

1. Mac Andrew, 2. John Noble, 3. Christian Petracca, 4. Jed Walter, 5. Alex Davies, 6. Bodhi Uwland, 7. Nick Holman, 8. Leo Lombard, 9. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, 11. Touk Miller, 14. Lachlan Weller, 15. Noah Anderson, 16. Joel Jeffrey, 17. Daniel Rioli, 19. Bailey Humphrey, 20. Ethan Read, 22. Ben Long, 23. Ned Moyle, 26. Will Graham, 27. Wil Powell, 28. Jarrod Witts, 30. Dylan Patterson, 31. Cooper Bell, 32. Zeke Uwland, 33. Samuel Clohesy, 36. Zak Evans, 39. Lachlan Gulbin, 41. Avery Thomas, 42. Asher Eastham, 43. Koby Koulson, 44. Ben Jepson, 46. Caleb Graham, 48. Oscar Adams, 50. Jy Farrar, 52. Alex Sexton, 54. David Swallow

Absent: Matt Rowell*, Sam Collins*, Ben King*, Charlie Ballard, Elliott Himmelberg, Jake Rogers, Jai Murray, Max Knobel, Beau Addinsall, Joel Jeffrey, Caleb Lewis

ST KILDA

1. Jack Higgins, 2. Marcus Windhager, 3. Jack Silvagni, 4. Lance Collard, 5. Tobie Travaglia, 6. Jack Macrae, 7. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, 9. Sam Flanders, 10. Mitch Owens, 13. Ryan Byrnes, 14. Liam Stocker, 17. Isaac Keeler, 18. Jack Carroll, 19. Rowan Marshall, 21. Tom De Koning, 22. Darcy Wilson, 25. Mattaes Phillipou, 26. Alix Tauru, 31. Liam Ryan, 34. Hugo Garcia, 36. Charlie Banfield, 38. Hugh Boxshall, 40. Max Hall, 43. Cooper Sharman, 44. Callum Wilkie, 47. Anthony Caminiti

Absent: Brad Hill*, Jack Sinclair*, Hunter Clark, Max King, Paddy Dow, Dan Butler, Dougal Howard, Liam Henry, Angus Hastie, James Barrat, Alex Dodson, Mason Wood, Patrick Said, Kye Fincher, Kobe McDonald, Liam O’Connell, Eamonn Armstrong

* Played in AFL Origin