St Kilda remains on track to become the first team since Collingwood in 1929 to go through a season undefeated after downing Hawthorn by 25 points at Aurora Stadium in Launceston last weekend.

Essendon looked to have defeated Brisbane last weekend but Daniel Bradshaw marked in the goal square right before the siren and kicked truly to ensure the game finished in a draw. The Bombers are in ninth spot with an 8-1-10 record and desperately need a win against the Saints.

MEDICAL ROOM: Essendon welcomes back Andrew Lovett and Andrew Welsh from corked thighs but skipper Matthew Lloyd (foot), fellow veteran forward Scott Lucas (patella tendonitis) and Jason Winderlich (back) will miss again. David Myers (ankle) is unlikely to play again this season while David Zaharakis (quad) and Hayden Skipworth (unknown injury) remain sidelined. Scott Gumbleton (back), Michael Still (shin), David Hille (knee), Jason Laycock (foot) and John Williams (shoulder) are out for the year. For the Saints, skipper Nick Riewoldt, Steven Baker, Sam Gilbert, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna return from injury but Andrew McQualter and midfielder Clinton Jones will miss with unknown injuries. The season is over for Jarryd Allen (hip) and Xavier Clarke (knee).

KEY MATCH-UPS: Lenny Hayes vs. Jobe Watson

Watson was among his side’s best against Brisbane with a team-high 32 possessions – 19 of which came by hand.

Limiting his influence will be a key for St Kilda if they are going to shut-down the Bombers’ running game.

Jones would have been given the job of tagging Watson but with him out of the side you would expect Hayes who is also highly effective at winning the contested football to go head-to-head with the Bombers midfielder.

Hayes who has averaged 27 touches per game this season will force Watson to worry about him.

It is vital for the Dons that Watson is switched on at the stoppages and works hard going both ways.

Tayte Pears vs. Nick Riewoldt

When these two sides met earlier in round eight Riewoldt was ilively with 17 disposals, 11 marks and three goals.

If the Dons are going to have any hope of ending St Kilda’s unbeaten start to the season they will need to contain Riewoldt who will surely earn All-Australian honours this year.

Pears has been a solid performer down back this season and will be given the job on the Riewoldt once again.

If Pears is going to have any chance of winning his duel with the Saints skipper he will need his midfield to apply relentless pressure for the full four quarters otherwise Riewoldt who is virtually unstoppable on the lead will feast on plenty of quality supply from his classy on-ball division.

Mark McVeigh vs. Nick Dal Santo

Dal Santo was instrumental in the Saints’ 19-point win over the Dons earlier in the year with 23 quality touches and six inside 50’s.

The 25-year-old is damaging with his ability to consistently set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean use of the football.

Keeping him quiet will be a key for the Bombers if they are going to have any hope of containing a St Kilda side that has the third best attack in the AFL.

McVeigh has been given some big run with roles during his career and could well be given first crack at Dal Santo.

While Essendon needs McVeigh to pay close attention to Dal Santo they also need him to be proactive otherwise the classy Saints midfielder will dictate terms and dominate.

Zac Dawson vs. Jay Neagle

Neagle has shown some promising signs in the past couple of weeks, booting six goals in his past two matches.

With Lloyd and Lucas still out of the side the Bombers will need Neagle to have an impact once again if they are going to have any hope of kicking a big enough score to secure the four premiership points.

However, his task won’t be an easy one as he will be matched up by Dawson who kept Hawthorn star Lance Franklin goalless last weekend.

If Neagle is going to have any hope of winning his duel with Dawson he will need his teammates to break the lines and move the football quickly and cleanly inside 50 otherwise the Saints will be able to push numbers back and continually punish the Bombers on the rebound.

VERDICT: With their season on the line Essendon will undoubtedly battle hard but with their two leading goal kickers for the year in Lucas and Lloyd missing due to injury they will struggle to kick a big enough score against the competition’s best defence to secure a much-needed four premiership points.

Saints by 35 points.

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