HAWTHORN-Monash University and St Kilda have been involved in some titanic battles over the years and have built a great rivalry.

The Saints have been a consistent and celebrated finals performer, while the Hawks have been the cheeky, aggressive challenger looking to take the title.

But times have changed. St Kilda has had a brief lull in recent years but is now eyeing a return to dominance. Internal strife last year left Hawthorn close to folding, but it survived and is rebuilding.

The Saints won the honours on the first day of their clash with the young Hawks on Saturday.

St Kilda won the toss at the university and, led by skipper and run machine Graeme Rummans, set about compiling a score of significance.

Hawthorn spearhead Dale Christie was driven to the sidelines by injury after seven overs. Lukas Hoogenboom made the initial breakthrough but it was a hard slog for the Hawks.

Leg-spinner Matthew Hewat was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three of the first four wickets, including Rummans, and a further one late to finish with 4-99 from 26 overs.

The Hawks toiled hard and were frustrated by Peter Handscomb (96). The Saints were 9-359 at stumps.

Hoogenboom finished with 2-71, and Simon Black had his best performance of the year with 3-88 from 27 overs. The Saints are expected to declare before play begins this week.

It was a great day for the Hawks' seconds who bowled St Kilda out for a measly 113 (Grant 3-27, Brooks 3-9) and passed them within the day (3-120 – Sriskandarajah 57).

The thirds will be chasing 314 this week (Brown 4-67), while the fourths find themselves not without a chance having the Saints on 2-36, chasing 178 (Morgan 52).