PLENTY has happened since St Kilda last played an AFL game.

Almost its entire coaching and fitness staff has changed, while more than 10 players have left the club in the past five months.

But the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Saints began their 2012 campaign the same way their 2011 season ended, with a loss to the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium, this time by 30 points in the opening round of the NAB Cup on Friday night.

It was a hotly-contested game in the early stages, with both teams throwing themselves at everything.

Lewis Jetta buzzed around across half-forward for the Swans, and while veteran Adam Goodes didn't gather a lot of the ball, he had plenty of impact when he did.

Forward Sam Reid presented well, and along with Mike Pyke made life difficult for the new-look St Kilda defence.

Rookie list player Harry Cunningham was the most impressive of the Swans' youngsters, kicking two goals, the second of which came after an extensive video replay. He finished with eight touches to be one of his team's best players in his first match.

In perhaps a hint of what we might see this year, the Swans moved the ball at a blistering pace from coast to coast. One St Kilda behind was moved up the other end for a Swans goal in less than 10 seconds. It was a common occurrence, as the Swans frequently kicked the ball over the top of the St Kilda zone.

The Saints showed plenty of promising signs in the first half, with first-gamers Ahmed Saad and Sebastian Ross very impressive. Mature-age recruit Saad read the play well to boot a goal with his first kick early in the first half.

First-round draft pick Ross handled himself with aplomb and looked more than capable in the midfield.

In his first game back after injury halted his 2011 season, Lenny Hayes took a while to get into the contest, but one centre clearance had the Saints fans excited when he baulked two players and hit up Nick Riewoldt on the lead.

But the Saints went missing in the second half, conceding seven goals in 20 minutes of football.

Sydney Swans     0.2.4    0.5.9 (59)
St Kilda                 0.2.2    0.4.5 (39)

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Cunningham 2, Goodes 2, Reid, Pyke, Malceski, Morton, Bolton
St Kilda: Saad, Milne, Riewoldt, Stanley

BEST
Sydney Swans: Goodes, McVeigh, Bolton, Cunningham, Jack, Jetta
St Kilda: Ledger, Fisher, Steven, Koschitzke, Saad, Geary

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
St Kilda: J. Koschitzke (calf)

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 17,583 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.