St Kilda 11.14 (80) def. by Essendon 11.16 (82)
The Essendon Bombers have emerged two-point victors over the St Kilda Saints in a Sunday Afternoon classic at Etihad Stadium.
With many tipping the Bombers to make light work of their young and inexperienced opponents, they were made to work extremely hard from start to finish in what will remembered as one of 2015’s finest matches of football.
Missing key players Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna, it was the Saints who started the better side. Josh Bruce cancelled out Jake Carlisle’s opening goal, but while St Kilda were able to keep the Bombers pinned in their own back half, poor kicking for goal saw them head into quarter time trailing their opponents by two points.
But in the second quarter the home side started to get some reward for effort. Two goals to Bruce and another to Jack Steven gave them a game-high 20-point lead, and had Essendon looking a little rattled.
But as the good teams always do, the Bombers found a way back. Martin Gleeson, Patrick Ambrose and Brendon Goddard all kicked goals late in the quarter to bring their side back within a point at half time despite being dominated that quarter.
Both teams went goal for goal in a thrilling third quarter, but a free kick to Jack Lonie nanoseconds from three quarter time gave St Kilda a crucial five-point lead heading into the final quarter.
After a few early behinds, David Zaharakis slotted a long goal to level the scores, only for substitute Blake Acres to set up Bruce’s fifth goal of the afternoon and restore St Kilda’s six-point lead.
Some more behinds from both sides made it 79-74 with five minutes to play, before Travis Colyer’s Lewis Jetta 2012 Preliminary Final-like goal gave the Bombers a one-point lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The Saints had two golden opportunities to win it late, with Jack Lonie kicking it out of bounds from 20 out on a the run and Adam Schneider missing to left from the edge of the goalsquare, and in the end those misses proved costly as the team fell short.
St Kilda 2.6 | 6.7 | 10.10 | 11.14 (80)
Essendon 3.2 | 6.6 | 9.11 | 11.16 (82)
GOAL KICKERS
Saints: Bruce 5, Billings 2, Lonie 2, Steven, Dunstan
Bombers: Carlisle 4, Zaharakis 2, Ambrose 2, Goddard, Gleeson, Colyer
Attendance: 29,869
It’s a Sunday afternoon classic at Etihad Stadium, with the St Kilda Saints and Essendon Bombers both looking to rebound from disappointing Round 4 efforts. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
St Kilda started the 2015 season off in encouraging fashion, with an extremely close loss to GWS and a huge away win over Gold Coast enticing many analysts to rethink their predictions of a second straight wooden spoon.
But the early promise has evaporated over the last two weeks. Injuries to stars Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna have hurt massively, and the Saints now find themselves in the bottom four following comprehensive thumpings at the hands of Collingwood and Carlton.
The first month of play has given St Kilda fans some things to cheer about. The young midfielders have made the team one of the competition’s top sides in contested possessions and tackling. Up forward, Josh Bruce has shown encouraging signs, although Riewoldt’s absence has seen his input decline as he attracts the number one defender.
But while there’s no doubting the effort of the young Saints, they’re still getting smashed at the clearances. As a result, they’re conceding 60 inside 50s per match and generating fewer than 50 themselves, leaving their young defenders vulnerable and starving their forwards of opportunities.
They need to bring the effort they exhibit around the ground to the interior if they’re to turn the tide on their opponents.
Essendon on the other hand have enjoyed a similarly encouraging start to the 2015 season. Whilst they ultimately lost the match, they did very well to build a 60-19 lead over Sydney in Round 1, and they proved that effort was no fluke over the next two weeks with headline-generating wins over Hawthorn and Carlton.
Last week however it was a different story, as the Bombers failed to click into gear against the Pies on Anzac Day. Despite amassing nearly 100 more disposals than their opponents, the Dons used the ball poorly and looked like the only side affected by the wet conditions.
Stats-wise this season the Bombers have been performing strongly across the board with high rankings in disposals, marks and tackles.
Of concern however is their work at stoppages. Essendon currently rank third-last in the competition for hitouts per game, and as a result they average twelve fewer clearances than their opponents – worst in the league.
Against a young Saints midfield, Essendon will view this match as a massive opportunity to turn those stats around.
St Kilda looks set to welcome back ferocious tackler Mav Weller, although Leigh Montagna looks to be only an outside chance of returning this weekend.
With Nick Riewoldt looking unlikely to return and Paddy McCartin looking out of his depth, the Saints appear to have few options up forward to support the emerging Josh Bruce. They may look to include ruckman Tom Hickey, with the plan being to rotate him and Billy Longer through the forward line as necessary.
Essendon on the other hand don’t appear to have too many selection headaches heading into this week. Paul Chapman’s knee injury looks to be a mere cork, and he should be okay to play this week. But if he can’t get up, Jackson Merrett should be able to slot right in after a scintillating 29-disposal effort in the VFL.
Prediction
Essendon’s Anzac Day loss to Collingwood was the first time this season they’ve looked outclassed. They were out-gritted and out-witted by their arch rivals, and will be keen as anything to atone with a win this week.
St Kilda looked woeful in their comprehensive loss to Carlton last week, and while they too will be determined to rebound with a win, they don’t look to have the talent this week required to do so.
Bombers by 26 points.
Stirling Coates
Editor
Much appreciated Gecko. Him and Lonie in the last quarter. Very bad misses.
Stirling Coates
Editor
The Essendon Bombers have emerged two-point victors over the St Kilda Saints in a Sunday Afternoon classic at Etihad Stadium. With many tipping the Bombers to make light work of their young and inexperienced opponents, they were made to work extremely hard from start to finish in what will remembered as one of 2015's finest matches of football. Missing key players Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna, it was the Saints who started the better side. Josh Bruce cancelled out Jake Carlisle's opening goal, but while St Kilda were able to keep the Bombers pinned in their own back half, poor kicking for goal saw them head into quarter time trailing their opponents by two points. But in the second quarter the home side started to get some reward for effort. Two goals to Bruce and another to Jack Steven gave them a game-high 20-point lead, and had Essendon looking a little rattled. But as the good teams always do, the Bombers found a way back. Martin Gleeson, Patrick Ambrose and Brendon Goddard all kicked goals late to bring their side back within a point at half time despite being dominated that quarter. Both teams went goal for goal in a thrilling third quarter, but a free kick to Jack Lonie nanoseconds from three quarter time gave St Kilda a crucial five-point lead heading into the final quarter. After a few early behinds, David Zaharakis slotted a long goal to level the scores, only for substitute Blake Acres to set up Bruce's fifth goal of the afternoon and restore St Kilda's six-point lead. Some more behinds from both sides made it 79-74 with five minutes to play, before Travis Colyer's Lewis Jetta 2012 Preliminary Final-like goal gave the Bombers a one-point lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Saints had two golden opportunities to win it late, with Jack Lonie kicking it out of bounds from 20 out on a the run and Adam Schneider missing to left from the edge of the goalsquare, and in the end those misses proved costly as the team fell short. GOAL KICKERS Saints: Bruce 5, Billings 2, Lonie 2, Steven, Dunstan Bombers: Carlisle 4, Zaharakis 2, Ambrose 2, Goddard, Gleeson, Colyer Attendance: 29,869
Gecko
Guest
Good call Stirling. Gave us a bit of commentary as well as just scores. Sounds like Schneider's simple miss in the last quarter might have cost them.
Stirling Coates
Editor
FULL TIME TIME REPORT St Kilda - 11.14 (80) Essendon - 11.16 (82) An epic last quarter gave this thrilling the match the finish it deserved. St Kilda lost themselves no supporters with that gallant performance, but in the end it was the experience of the Bombers that shone through. Full report to come. GOAL KICKERS Saints: Bruce 5, Billings 2, Lonie 2, Steven, Dunstan Bombers: Carlisle 4, Zaharakis 2, Ambrose 2, Goddard, Gleeson, Colyer DISPOSAL LEADERS Saints: Armitage 35, Steven 31, Dempster 27, Roberton 24 Bombers: Watson 30, Goddard 28, Stanton 26, Heppell 23 THE STATS THAT MATTER Disposals: Saints 398, Bombers 375 Contested Possessions: Saints 144, Bombers 134 Tackles: Saints 68, Bombers 63 Inside 50s: Bombers 57, Saints 46 Clearances: Bombers 36, Saints 32
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN SOUNDS Armitage had the ball at the front of the centre square but the siren beats him. What a game of Australian Football! Genuine shame that someone had to lose STK - 11.14 (80) ESS - 11.16 (82) FULL TIME
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND BOMBERS Stanton with a long shot at goal that misses to the right. 24 seconds left. STK - 11.14 (80) ESS - 11.16 (82) Q4: 1'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Howlett intercepts Dempster's kick and takes all the time in the world. 42 seconds left, throw in at St Kilda's back pocket. STK - 11.14 (80) ESS - 11.15 (81) Q4: 1'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Eighty seconds to play. Throw in on the left hand wing. STK - 11.14 (80) ESS - 11.15 (81) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND SAINTS Oh dear! Adam Schneider gathers it on the run, runs to the edge of the goalsquare and misses to the left! There was a player coming at him but you cannot miss those! STK - 11.14 (80) ESS - 11.15 (81) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
No matter the result, St Kilda have lost themselves no supporters with this gallant effort today. STK - 11.13 (79) ESS - 11.15 (81) Q4: 3'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Jack Lonie gathers it in the pocket, but his running shot at goal is one of the worst misses you'll see. Membrey manages to touch it before it crosses the boundary line. STK - 11.13 (79) ESS - 11.15 (81) Q4: 3'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND BOMBERS Another Essendon kick to a deep-on-one one is fisted back over the line. Important effort for the Saints. STK - 11.13 (79) ESS - 11.15 (81) Q4: 4'
Stirling Coates
Editor
You feel like the Bombers could just about open the floodgates at the moment. The young Saints look tired but they're not out of it. STK - 11.13 (79) ESS - 11.14 (80) Q4: 4'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL BOMBERS Essendon in front! Travis Colyer picks up the ball at the back of the centre square and then gives us a perfect impression of Lewis Jetta in the 2012 prelim. He kicks the goal from a bit further out than Jetta did but it's a goal nonetheless! STK - 11.13 (79) ESS - 11.14 (80) Q4: 6'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND SAINTS Roberton with the NFL-like interception at half back, he finds Jack Steven in an absolute paddock at half forward. He finds Membrey on the lead, who then centres it to Adam Schneider. 45 out. Directly in front. Sprayed. STK - 11.13 (79) ESS - 10.14 (74) Q4: 6'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Sean Dempster has found another gear this quarter for the Saints. He's probably stopped three goals this quarter and just then handcuffed the first gamer Langford for a textbook holding the ball. STK - 11.12 (78) ESS - 10.14 (74) Q4: 8'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND BOMBERS Colyer tries to get it to Carlisle in a one-on-one deep but the ball is spoiled back over the line. STK - 11.12 (78) ESS - 10.14 (74) Q4: 9'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Sean Dempster launches a long territory kick to the boundary and the umpire calls it deliberate. Saints fans absolutely lose it but that was deliberate even under the old interpretation. STK - 11.12 (78) ESS - 10.13 (73) Q4: 9'
Stirling Coates
Editor
St Kilda looking to move the ball very slowly when they have possession. Margin is too small and too much time left on the clock to be doing that. STK - 11.12 (78) ESS - 10.13 (73) Q4: 11'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Jack Steven corrals Hibberd on the boundary line before a diving smother forces his kick over the line. This match is shaping to be an absolute epic. No side willing to give an inch. STK - 11.12 (78) ESS - 10.13 (73) Q4: 12'