The Saints kicked the final two goals of the match to run out comfortable 7.14 (56) to 5.6 (36) winners after the Magpies had closed to within four points with 10 minutes to play.

But no sooner had the Pies kicked two goals of their own to cut a 16-point deficit back to within a kick, the Saints kicked clear again.

While understandably disappointed to lose, Magpies coach Blake Nelson admitted there were plenty of positives to take out of the match.

"We asked them the questions towards the end and really tested them out, but unfortunately today they were a bit too good for us," he said.

"We'll learn from it."

Sawtell led for the vast majority of the match, but Nelson felt his new-look side would only get better.

"There were a lot of blokes that had never played with each other before so we're only going to grow from that," he said.

"There are a few minor things to work on, but that will come with time."

The Saints challenged the Magpies through the midfield and appeared to be half a step quicker throughout the match.

"They put up a lot of challenges to us and we fought it out really, really well," Nelson said.

"I thought we held our ground and fought for the jumper and really worked our arse off."

New faces Jack Gooden and Max Bylsma were impressive in their first matches for the club.

"Jack played out of his skin in defence and Max played really well," Nelson said.

"We've got a week to prepare for the things we didn't do so well, but they're only minor things and we'll be back in two weeks.

"It doesn't happen overnight, but we'll work for it."

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