On a weekend clouded with sadness across the football world, St Kilda fans were treated to a little slice of joy in their team’s most comprehensive win for the season, defeating the Bombers by 110 points on Sunday afternoon.
St Kilda easily accounted for a Bombers outfit that was unable to match the Saints in any facet of the game at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, leading at all changes to record their fifth win of the season.
Become a member today! Call 1300 GO SAINTS or visit HERE.
It was the first time the Saints have booted more than 20 goals in a game all season.
David Armitage continued his career-best season with 37 disposals and not for the first time was ably assisted in the middle by Jack Steven (29 touches).
Meanwhile St Kilda’s forward line provided plenty of options in Tim Membrey who led strongly all day and Josh Bruce, who kicked five goals. Youngsters Jack Lonie and Jack Sinclair put intense pressure on the Essendon defence all day long, with each mounting convincing cases for a Rising Star nomination.
Lonie provided the highlight of the day with a dribbling goal from the boundary line in the second goal that had the Saints fans on their feet.
All the details for Monday's Superclinic at Moorabbin.
Dylan Roberton upheld the defensive pressure in the backline while the typically reliable Sam Fisher was subbed off at the last break in his return match from injury.
The first half was all St Kilda leading by 37 points at the main break. The dominance was characterised by the hard-working midfield which was led by David Armitage, amassing 19 possessions by half time.
Membrey got the ball rolling with his sixth goal for the year in the starting minutes of the game, as the Saints got off to a flying start and set the tone for what was to come.
Apart from a brief lapse towards the end of the second quarter that allowed the Bombers three quick goals, the Saints were dominant for the entire game.
Essendon’s key players, including 200-gamer Jobe Watson, were kept out of the contest with St Kilda balancing their defensive and offensive structures perfectly.
The Saints had the game in the bag at the final change but piled on another eight goals in the final term.
The victory put the Saints in 13th spot on the ladder and was the team’s biggest winning margin since the 72-point thrashing of Fremantle in the last game of 2013.
ST KILDA: 5.3 10.8 17.9 25.12 (162)
ESSENDON: 1.0 5.1 7.3 8.4 (52)
GOALS: Bruce (5), Riewoldt (4), Weller (2), Sinclair (2), Montagna (2), Armitage (2), Membrey (2), Webster, Schneider, Savage, Newnes, Lonie, Dunstan
BEST: Armitage, Steven, Lonie, Bruce, Roberton, Longer, Montagna,
SUBS: Sam Fisher replaced in the fourth by Luke Dunstan
INJURIES: Nil
