SAINTS fans might not have to wait long to see Max King head up the team's attack, if the highly touted key forward's pre-season promise is anything to go by. 

The No.4 draftee from 2018 kicked four goals in the Saints' intraclub on Thursday at Moorabbin and could have had several more had he kicked straight.

Off-season recruits Zak Jones and Dougal Howard also impressed but fellow new signings Bradley Hill and Paddy Ryder didn't play, with Hill carrying a corked thigh and 31-year-old Ryder managed.

King, 19, was pitted against experienced defender Jake Carlisle early on, and there's reason enough for the Saints to be bullish about his chances of lining up as early as their season-opener on March 22 against North Melbourne. 

"We'll be hopeful to get Max up and going, he's an exciting player and he's going to be a hard match up for some teams," head of football program David Rath said. 

"Today's game was a bit of a snapshot of where Max is at. He made some opportunities and he left quite a few out there as well … he's a work in progress.

"I would think Max will be right in the mix for round one." 

A teammate who knows all about hype is former No.3 draftee Jack Billings, who had to deal with similar external expectations in the early part of his career.

But, Billings said King – who is wearing club great Nick Riewoldt's No.12 guernsey – was well equipped to cope with such pressure. 

"He's got a great head on his shoulders, he's a really smart guy and he's a team player and has a lot of the things you want and expect from a teammate already," Billings said.

"The great thing about him is he's obviously really tall, but so athletic and so good below his knees, you can kick it to him anywhere in his area and he's generally able to mark it or at least bring it to ground and let the small forwards get to work."

Jack Lonie (three goals) and Dan Butler (two) bobbed up with some exciting moves in the forward half on Thursday, while Ryan Abbott rucked well against Rowan Marshall in the absence of Ryder, who sat out ahead of next Thursday's Marsh Community Series clash with Hawthorn.

Ben Long was at home in a new role off half-back, where he looked to benefit from instruction to play with instinct and freedom, while Jones was hard at it in the middle and looks set to reinvent the way the Saints move the ball.

Hill will play against the Hawks, but Luke Dunstan might not after copping a heavy knock to his right hip pointer.

Veteran Dan Hannebery played the whole game and moved well while Dylan Roberton also got through as he continues towards a return to the game after nearly two years out with a heart issue.

Jarryn Geary didn't play and will stay on a "graduated program" over the next month as he overcomes a calf complaint. Seb Ross returned for a half before running laps.

The Saints will announce their captain and leadership group early next week with Geary tipped to lead for a fourth season.