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Nick Riewoldt of St Kilda rues his missed shot after the siren to win the match as Andrew Welsh (C) of Essendon & Angus Monfries (R) of Essendon celebrate during the AFL Round 20 match between the Essendon Bombers and the St Kilda Saints at the Docklands Stadium. Slattery Images
All week, Essendon had remembered what had happened to them when they were on the verge of their perfect AFL season.
And they responded by beating St Kilda by two points on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, the 16.14 (110) to 16.12 (108) result ending the Saints’ streak at 19 games and putting the Bombers back in the top eight.
Saints captain Nick Riewoldt had a shot on goal after the siren after taking a strong mark with seconds left, but his kick went wide for a behind.
No side has gone through the regular season and finals without a loss.
Essendon were the last side to come so close to the perfect year, losing to the Western Bulldogs by 11 points in round 21 of the 2000 season at the same venue.
It was their only loss for the season.
“It’s a little bit eerie, because in circles this week it was mentioned – as a coach you hear it, you look away and you hear it again,” said Bombers coach Matthew Knights.
“You think well, football is a funny game and things can happen like that.
“St Kilda have been awesome – you realise that we got ’em, we did the right things, we played strong football.
“But I did hear it during the week a few times, that it might be history revisited, and thankfully it was.”
After St Kilda kicked the first three goals of the game, the Bombers were relentless with their tackling and run.
Midfielder Jobe Watson played the game of his life and Essendon led by as much as 43 points midway through the third term, but injuries and tiredness wore them down.
Dustin Fletcher (hamstring), Courtenay Dempsey (hamstring) and Patrick Ryder (knee) were all sidelined for the last term as the Saints kicked the last seven goals of the game.
The Bombers would have only had themselves to blame had they lost, with too many turnovers and defensive play in the final quarter, but Knights pointed out they simply ran out of run.
Still, it was an outstanding win by Essendon and gives them a great chance of their first finals appearance since 2004.
They have eighth spot by half a game over Port Adelaide, although Fletcher, Ryder and Stanton could all miss the last two regular season games against Fremantle (away) and Hawthorn at the MCG.
“It’s a huge win for the club … our resilience, the most pleasing part (was) when we went three (players) down at three-quarter time,” Knights said.
Riewoldt had kicked a great goal after the half-time siren to keep his side in touch, but his game-deciding kick slewed off the side of his boot.
Knights said the kick, from 45m out, on a 45 degree angle and on the wrong side for a right-footer, was a “50-50” shot and “pretty tough”.
Saints coach Ross Lyon described Riewoldt as a great leader, but admitted to mixed emotions when the kick missed.
“You never enjoy losing – I had a wry smile when ‘Rooy’ missed … I just really felt that if he had kicked it, we would have really snatched victory,” Lyon said.
“It’s probably the right result in the context of how we played today.
“It’s a super win for them, it’s a sharp reminder of the preparation and intensity that’s required … it can turn the other way pretty quickly.”
Snapshot of round 20 in the AFL:
THEY SAID IT: “I believe long-term, when I look back at it, this will be the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life.” – Melbourne president Jim Stynes stays positive in his ongoing battle with cancer.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Geelong star Gary Ablett responded to criticism of his form with 44 disposals and a goal to earn clear best afield honours in the Cats’ five-point win over Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
MAGIC MOMENT: Western Bulldogs veteran Jason Akermanis killed off his former club Brisbane’s budding last-quarter comeback with a signature left-foot goal from the boundary at the Gabba on Saturday night.
TALKING POINT: St Kilda would have loved to remain unbeaten, but will their two-point loss to Essendon prove a handy spur to greater things?
STAT OF THE ROUND: Until Sunday, St Kilda had not lost at Etihad Stadium in more than 14 months, compiling an 18-game winning streak at the venue.
KEY INJURIES: Dustin Fletcher (Ess, hamstring), Courtenay Dempsey (Ess, hamstring), Patrick Ryder (Ess, knee), Tom Williams (Dogs, foot), Brad Johnson (Dogs, thigh), Travis Varcoe (Geel, AC Joint), Robert Campbell (Hawks, finger), Chris Masten (WC, knee), Mitch Brown (WC, foot)
REPORTS: Jake King (Rich, striking), Tom Hislop (Rich, striking)
UNDER PRESSURE THIS WEEK: With North Melbourne due to announce their new coach this week and Richmond not far behind them, the heat is on both clubs to get it right.
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