In front of about 2000 supporters at the club's training base in Seaford on Saturday, the No.1 draft pick stepped out in his first match for the Saints. McCartin played in the opening two of three terms of the intra-club clash, booting a goal while working alongside Tom Lee and suggesting he will be a strong attacking presence. He sat out the third period.

Saints assistant coach Adam Kingsley was happy with McCartin's efforts.

"He started really well. He's still got a lot to learn but he was playing on some reasonable players up forward," Kingsley said.

"The ball, at times, didn't come to him all that well but he just worked and worked and kept competing, which is what you want your key forwards to do.

"He's going to be a competitor, don't worry about that. That's going to be one of his greatest strengths and he has a wonderful role model in that area in Nick Riewoldt. Hopefully, he can turn out to be quite similar in talent.

"We need some tall forwards to come through. Nick's [Riewoldt] obviously getting older and he [McCartin] has played quite a lot forward in junior footy and he showed he's quite capable of playing there."

McCartin's form through the NAB Challenge - the Saints open their campaign against Brisbane on Saturday - will determine whether he lines up in round one of the season proper.

"He's going to come up against a lot of good players, so he has a lot of work to do, but the signs are positive so far. In terms of how and when he plays, form will decide that. He's certainly tracking in the right direction and we're pleased with his progress," Kingsley said.

Skipper Riewoldt, midfield playmaker Jack Steven and defender Sam Gilbert were rested from the match.

Kingsley was also buoyed by the efforts of Lee, who struggled for a senior game last year and had his season ended in round 17 when he required shoulder surgery.

"He's a wonderful contested mark, he reads the play well and he's a beautiful kick. So he has some real AFL qualities but we've got to be able to progress and improve him so he's up to the level consistently like a lot of these key forwards are," Kingsley said.

Former Swan Tim Membrey and the likes of Seb Ross, Jimmy Webster and Eli Templeton also impressed.

Fisher, the Saints' oldest player and handed a one-year contract after injury hampered his 2014 campaign, was also in good touch across half-back.

He has worked closely with Hugh Goddard, the second cousin of former Saint and now Bomber Brendon Goddard, through the summer.

"He's a really competitive guy, he hates to be beaten. I've taken him under my wing a fair bit and he's really pro-active in his willingness to learn," Fisher said.

"He reminds me of Brendon Goddard really, the way he can get a bit angry. But it shows he's willing to learn and I look forward to working with him for the couple of years I've got left."

Hugh Goddard was taken with the 21st overall pick in last year's national draft.