After a disappointing loss interstate, St Kilda will look to bounce back when they take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. In the previous meeting between these two, St Kilda shook off a resilient Bombers to run out 46-point winners.
St Kilda v Essendon
Round 9, 2016
Summary
Any suggestion a depleted Essendon would be easy beats was quickly quashed when Joe Daniher kicked the game’s first goal. The Bombers were highly competitive throughout the first half and it look until the 14th minute of the opening term for St Kilda to gain the lead.
Essendon took it to St kilda, with the margin never left single figures for majority of the first half. Inaccuracy in front of goal, coupled with the Bomber’s tenacity at the contest turned the two quarters into a scrap.
That all changed after the main break. With Nick Riewoldt on the wing, we got at glimpse of the Bruce/McCartin/Membrey forward line of the future. The ‘Big 3’ combined for seven third quarter goals as the Saints ran away with the contest.
From there, St Kilda never took the foot off the pedal, running out comfortable 46-point victors.
Player Performances
Jack Steven was at his brilliant best – collecting 40 disposals, nine inside 50s and 10 clearances in a game-breaking performance. Seb Ross was also dominant with 37 touches and 11 marks and Josh Bruce booted five goals up forward. Tim Membrey (3 goals) and Paddy McCartin (2 goals) also got amongst the goals to combine with Bruce for 10 majors.
James Kelly turned back the clock with 33 disposals and 10 marks, while Matt Dea had 26 touches and 15 marks in defence. Mitch Brown troubled the St Kilda defenders, kicking four goals for the afternoon.
Stats that mattered
It was a dominant afternoon statistically for St Kilda, winning contested possessions 131-116, clearances 46-23 and inside 50s 67-40.
Who was missing?
18 of the 22 that featured against Essendon played in last week’s loss to Gold Coast. Paddy McCartin will miss the clash through concussion, while Sam Fisher had a set back with his hamstring and will be out for another 2-3 weeks. Darren Minchington didn't feature last time, but has worked his way back into the side and was influential in the win over Geelong.
Sean Dempster (knee) is a chance to return, likewise Jack Billings (ankle) and Nathan Wright (shoulder) – who have recovered from their injuries.
While for the Bombers, 14 of the 22 who lined up in last Thursday’s loss to West Coast played back in round nine. Notable absentees will be David Zaharakis and Mark Jamar, both out through suspension.
Essendon’s predicament has created opportunities and given them a chance to blood youngsters. Darcy Parish has looked like a seasoned pro since his debut, while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has become a fan favourite.
What the coaches said?
“When you have a performance (and) a week like that, you have conversations (and) you then train in quite an aggressive manner to hopefully bounce back. Our issue was contest and pressure and we thought that was positive (today).” – St Kilda coach Alan Richardson (May 22, 2016)
“We weren't getting enough ball forward, couldn't chain out of our back 50 and we couldn't win clearances to get field position. That always meant that if that stayed the case, their scoring would open up," – Essendon coach John Worsfold (May 22, 2016)
ST KILDA 2.5 5.9 12.10 16.13 (109)
ESSENDON 1.4 4.5 7.8 9.9 (63)
GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 5, Membrey 3, McCartin 2, Ross, Steven, Newnes, Weller, Hickey, Armitage
Essendon: Brown 4, Daniher 2, Baguley, Cooney, Langford
BEST
St Kilda: Ross, Steven, McCartin, Bruce, Dunstan, Montagna, Dempster
Essendon: Zaharakis, Merrett, Kelly, Brown, McDonald-Tipungwuti
INJURIES
St Kilda: Billings
