JAKE Carlisle took another step towards his AFL return and Jack Billings showed signs he could fulfil his huge potential, but it was a second-round draft pick who stole the spotlight in St Kilda’s intra-club game.

Josh Battle, taken at pick 39 last November, booted five goals in the hitout with VFL club Sandringham.

The young key forward kicked 24 goals last year for Dandenong Stingrays and topped the goalkicking at the under-18 championships. He could give the Saints another weapon in attack but will find it hard to get a spot alongside Paddy McCartin, Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey.

media_camera Jack Billings impressed up forward and through the midfield. Pictures: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

McCartin impressed in the scratch match on Thursday night, booting three goals and taking several strong marks.

Jack Billings kicked two goals and picked up plenty of the ball through the midfield to give fans hope he could deliver on the promise that led him to be taken with pick 3 in the 2013 draft.

“He’s had a strong pre-season so it was good to see him get a bit of the ball early,” assistant coach Rohan Walsh told the AFL website.

“We thought he was good defensively and that was an area he had to work on.”

media_camera Jack Newnes is wrapped up in a strong tackle.

Former Bomber Jake Carlisle played a half, partnering ex-Magpie Nathan Brown in defence, and Welsh said he would up his game time in coming weeks.

“The main thing for him was to get through a half and he’ll probably play 75 per cent next week against Port Adelaide.

“We’ll build him up to play a full game in the second JLT match, and the third.

“He needs to play some footy and the more footy he plays the better he’s going to get.”

Recruits Koby Stevens and Jack Steele also impressed, along with second-year midfielder Jade Gresham.

Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Jack Steven were all rested.

media_camera Former Bulldog Koby Stevens finds a way out of traffic.

media_camera Paddy McCartin takes a big mark.

media_camera Blake Acres escapes a tackle.

media_camera Nick Riewoldt walks the boundary line with son James.