NO ONE broke a foot or snapped an arm. No punches were thrown at teammates' heads nor slippers sunk into teammates' dates. So by that cynical reckoning at least St Kilda had reason to be pleased after their uneventful practice match yesterday at the demolition site known as Moorabbin.

Indeed, with centre half-back Matt Maguire playing a rare game the Saints were more than pleased to be uneventful. This time last year Maguire was beaming as he left the ground after a virtual year out through injury.

McGuire felt fate had punished him enough, and perhaps he was owed a full season. He was of course to be denied. After yesterday's modest hit-out, McGuire can be mildly optimistic about returning to football again this year after 10 scratchy games in 2007, following a broken leg, and just four last year.

"We were happy for him to speak to the media today but Goose, knowing what he had been through the last two years, chose not to speak," said St Kilda coach Ross Lyon after four 10-minute quarters.

"But we thought his actions spoke for him.

"I don't say it lightly after the two years he has had but … he will play a part this year for us. We are not sure how big a part, but there were some reasonable signs today; he moved OK.

"He will continue to play in the next six weeks. It will be a bit lighter for him … a bit like Michael Gardner, the same thing.

"With full pre-seasons, they will play a lot of minutes over the next six weeks."

Maguire's return would allow changes around him.

Sam Gilbert, for example, yesterday played from the goal square — in attack, not defence. The Saints are experimenting with him as a third tall option.

"We are looking for that real third tall mobile quick — he is 194 centimetres and he is lightning quick — and we feel Baker will be back," Lyon said.

"And if Maguire stands up and with Begley and maybe Xavier Clarke back there then we can afford to put (Gilbert) forward. We would like to do it and we are experimenting with it. It is exciting for him, he loves it.

"We are trying to find that third tall in that Aaron Hamill mould: hard and tough and quick."

Robert Eddy worked well well and fellow midfielder David Armitage was strong around the packs.

Another midfielder, recruit Farren Ray, got some of the ball and had his moments of effective use, while Brisbane Lions recruit Colm Begley also got involved.

Justin Koschitzke kicked several goals and moved strongly from the goal square. Fellow tall forward Nick Riewoldt did not play.