AARON Hamill kicked four goals for Casey Scorpions in his first game of the year yesterday, and together with Matt Maguire, who also returned yesterday, the duo believe they are ready to rejoin St Kilda on Saturday against Collingwood.

Hamill and Maguire both played big roles in Casey's 88-point demolition of the Northern Bullants at Cranbourne, with Hamill kicking three goals in the first quarter — one a 45-metre stunner from the boundary. Maguire resumed at his regular post of centre half-back, with both players sitting out the last quarter.

In his first match after almost 10 months on the sidelines due to a degenerative knee injury, Hamill showed no signs of rust.

The veteran forward said "I feel I'll be close" when asked about a senior return. Hamill said he would talk with Saints coach Ross Lyon this week and "just play it by ear".

Maguire, who played in round one after breaking his leg last year but developed a "hot spot" requiring a further three months of rest, picked up Carlton's Josh Kennedy and kept the first-round draft pick goalless. Maguire moved well, had three kicks and three spoils but looked occasionally out of touch with his timing.

"I was moving freely and it was the best I've felt since breaking the leg," Maguire said. "I thought my form was solid. With what happened to Max Hudghton (who tore his hamstring in the first quarter against Richmond), I will be putting my hand up."

Casey coach Peter Banfield was impressed with the work ethic of both. "They both contributed heavily to the win, and Aaron was really encouraging early with his body work," Banfield said. "He was moving pretty well and read the ball nicely. The old Aaron Hamill work-rate was fantastic."

Maguire also exhibited no shortage of enthusiasm. "Matt played a solid game as a key defender," a satisfied St Kilda football manager Ken Sheldon said. But, with the club's horror run of injuries, Sheldon wasn't interested in nominating a return date for his pair of stars.

"The first step is recovery tomorrow to see how everybody pulls up," he said. "From there, (we) continue to build their programs, and of course, it then becomes a match committee decision."

The Scorpions were never challenged after taking advantage of a strong wind by booting eight first-quarter goals, with the Bullants managing just four single goalkickers for the match. Andrew McQualter was best on ground, laying eight tackles in a gutsy performance.

"We had our most experienced side in recent times, so I was happy how they played together," Banfield said. "On the other hand, our younger players are starting to play really well, which has helped with our improvement."

The Scorpions are now only four points out of the eight after looking wooden-spoon contenders early in the season. The Bullants' season, however, is hemorrhaging badly. Aside from David Teague, they had few winners on a horror day.

At Coburg City Oval, the Tigers returned to the top four with a 41-point win over Port Melbourne. The match ebbed and flowed early, as Port missed several scoring opportunities through poor goalkicking before the Tigers opened up a four-goal break in the second half.

First-year Richmond recruit Jack Riewoldt continued to flourish at centre-half back. "He's really learning the position, and showing his versatility and potential as a footballer," Coburg coach Andy Collins said.

Kent Kingsley continued to push for senior selection, with a match-high four goals. "It just shows what a classy talent he is," Collins said. "Kent's been unfairly used as a scapegoat in the past, but he showed today that he's a class above VFL level."