ST KILDA’S two-point loss to Essendon this afternoon will be heart-breaking in the immediate aftermath, but when the dust settles, this performance could be classified as the most encouraging of the season.

Gold Coast was not at its best in round two, but today Essendon came to play and for four quarters the Saints matched it with James Hird’s men.

Fans will bemoan a string of missed opportunities late, but the truth is that both teams missed golden chances in front of goal throughout what was a captivating and enthralling match.

The brand of football St Kilda is seeking to play is becoming more apparent on a weekly basis. High tempo in attack and fierce in defence has been Alan Richardson’s mantra ever since he arrived at Linen House Centre 18 months ago.

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St Kilda led at half-time and three-quarter-time, but only by a combined seven points. Every time it appeared as if the Saints were ready to pull away, a slick handball from Jobe Watson or a dashing run by Travis Colyer would result in a steadying goal and swing the momentum back in the away team’s favour.

Needless to say given the margin, but the result could have gone either way.

David Armitage was simply outstanding for the Saints, amassing 35 disposals and 11 clearances in a performance that re-affirmed his status as one of the AFL’s most improved midfielders.

His tenacity in the clinches has always been first class, but now – courtesy of his leaner frame – the 26-year-old is able to spread and run like a more traditional on-baller. In many ways he has become the complete package.

Fellow midfielders Jack Steven and Luke Dunstan also battled through in different ways. Steven possesses dash and flair usually reserved for forward pockets and, while Dunstan’s maturity befits the number seven guernsey he wears.

Steven collected 32 disposals, laid six tackles and pumped the ball inside 50 on five occasions, while Dunstan  had 10 less possessions.

Sean Dempster, Jack Lonie and Jack Newnes all played important roles, with Dempster undoubtedly playing his best game for the season and collecting 29 disposals. 

The first half was a frantic and open affair. St Kilda rebounded from a two-point quarter-time deficit to boot five consecutive goals and extend the lead beyond 20 points halfway through the second term.

Josh Bruce was the architect in the forward half, booting five goals for the day, two of which came in the second quarter.  

Essendon refused to lay down, returning serve forcefully in red time of the second term.

A one-point lead at the main break accurately reflected the tightness of the contest. Both teams had squandered golden opportunities but looked fluent in their ball movement around the ground.

Somewhat predictably, the game tightened up in the third term. More numbers swarmed the ball and clean efficient transition was no longer the norm. 

A long-bomb from Patrick Ambrose put Essendon into the lead for the first time in over 40 minutes, but Jack Billings’ immediate reply brought the Saints fans to their feet.

Staying with the theme of goals from long range, Jack Lonie’s finish after the three-quarter-time siren was the definition of clutch. The baby-faced 18-year-old collected 20 disposals and proved too hot to handle for Essendon’s defenders all day. One gets the impression that Essendon will not be the only back team he torments over the next 15 seasons.

During this third term, Rohan Connolly tweeted “If you scored games on effort, Saints would be miles up here.” And without placing too much of a premium on social media opinion, this probably reflected the way St Kilda fans saw the contest.

As fatigue set in in the fourth term, so did the skill errors which plagued St Kilda in the back half of last Saturday’s Anzac Day game in Wellington.

The endeavour remained strong and when an opportunity arose for Bruce or Lonie to bob up, they rarely disappointed.

With St Kilda one goal up halfway through the final quarter, Martin Gleeson missed a golden opportunity running into an open goal. To be fair to the 20-year-old, it was not the only relatively simple chance that went begging this afternoon, both teams were guilty of this.

Shortly afterwards, David Zaharakis ambitiously had a shot from 50 which rolled through. It would be the last goal of the day and ultimately the score that won the game for Essendon.

ST KILDA: 11.14 (80)

ESSENDON: 11.16 (82)

GOALS: Bruce 5, Billings 2, Lonie 2, Steven, Dunstan

BEST: Armitage, Bruce, Steven, Dempster, Lonie, Roberton, Fisher