Hawthorn are blessed with a glut of talent and no end of menace going into their campaign for a third-straight AFL premiership.
Boasting 18 of the 22 players from last year's grand final side, they monstered an undermanned St Kilda by 106 points on Thursday night at Etihad Stadium.
GWS recruit Jonathan O'Rourke impressed for the Hawks and ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, who narrowly missed out on grand final selection, also had a solid match.
With premiership players Grant Birchall, Liam Shiels, David Hale and Matt Spangher to return, they are perfectly primed.
But it was their intensity as much as talent that stood out against the lowly Saints.
Even in the last term of a meaningless NAB Challenge hitout, senior players such as Sam Mitchell and Jarryd Roughead were still hard at work.
It was a small reminder of the fearsome intent that overwhelmed Sydney in the first 40 minutes of last year's grand final.
"They made us look like kids at times, the way they brushed us off when we tried to tackle and the way they applied pressure," said Saints coach Alan Richardson.
"There's a lot of talk about how effective Hawthorn are with the footy - and that is true - but their physicality and the way they play in the contest is just outstanding.
"We all saw that in the grand final and we copped that again (last night)."
While acknowledging Hawthorn's prowess, Richardson said he expected better from his team.
Barring some disaster, captain Nick Riewoldt will return for round one and other established players such as David Armitage and Jarryn Geary will also play.
Jack Billings is unlikely to be ready as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
"There's certainly some experience to come back into the team and we saw (on Thursday night) that we're going to need that," Richardson said.
But in more bad news for the Saints, defender Nathan Wright hurt his thigh and appears unlikely to play in round one.
While veteran Leigh Montagna also hurt a knee, Richardson is confident the midfielder will be ready.
Riewoldt's return will be a major boost for their No.1 draft pick and fellow key forward Paddy McCartin, who is yet to play alongside his captain.
"It was bloody hard work for him (last night) - the quality of the footy coming forward wasn't great," Richardson said of McCartin.
"He's not here for round one, he's here for a 10-year career.
"He's no certainty to play in round one, we"ll wait and see.
"Clearly, when Riewoldt plays, there's a fair bit more defensive attention going his way."
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