St.Kilda has put together the best win of Alan Richardson's coaching career, with its 110-point demolition of Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The brilliance of the Saints' fifth win for the season could easily be lost in the rapid fall of the Bombers, who barely fired a shot in captain Jobe Watson's 200th game to eventually lose 25.12 (162) to 8.4 (52).
Dyson Heppell was the only Bomber with a meaningful impact in the first half, and he called his team together immediately as the half time siren sounded to deliver an impassioned message.
But there was no response thereafter as the team capitulated in their leader's milestone game to concede 15 of the last 18 goals against the rampaging Saints.
The flat-footed and listless performance poses serious questions about the Bombers' direction under Hird, who is out of contract at the end of next season.
"We failed to compete, I think that was the most disappointing thing," Hird said post-match.
"Our effort and intensity was poor and they beat us around the contest and got their confidence going.
"That's concerning for me as the coach that there wasn't that effort there, and it's concerning for our group and concerning for our club and our supporters."
The Bombers lost the possession count 444-300, which was the biggest differential they have recorded since Champion Data started taking official statistics.
It was the Saints' first triple-figure win since 2012, and their biggest ever win against the Bombers, giving them an extra 10 per cent on the ladder.
Richardson's team was organised and the players worked hard for each other for four quarters, refusing to take their foot off the pedal when a 100-point win was in sight.
Richardson said it was a positive sign that his team didn't go into its shell in the second half after the Bombers briefly rallied as the main break approached.
"We spoke about their attitude, the way we were going to play and the way we needed to play in the second half, irrespective of the scoreboard," he said.
"That was to be really aggressive with the way we attacked.
"It's not for me to talk about where the Bombers were at, but I think it's fair to say while we were so pleased with the way we played, I reckon the Bombers were probably off their game a little bit."
Midfielder David Armitage continued his fine season with 37 possessions and two goals, while Jack Steven did likewise with 29 and 11 tackles.
The Saints had winners all over the ground, with Josh Bruce kicking five goals, veteran Leigh Montagna adding cream to the midfield with 31 possessions and two goals, and big man Billy Longer (35 hit-outs) taking the points in the ruck.
Small forward Jack Lonie was a livewire in attack with 18 possessions and five inside 50s, including a brilliant goal along the ground from tight on the boundary.
The Saints were attacking from the outset, playing with confidence and moving the ball quickly through the corridor, which the Bombers repeatedly left open for them.
Their hard-working forwards were rewarded, with Bruce, Nick Riewoldt and Tim Membrey all finding space and converting early opportunities.
There were calamitous mistakes from the Bombers, including a rebounding kick from former Saint James Gwilt that went straight into Bruce's lap, leading to the cult hero's third goal.
With the game over at three-quarter time, key Bombers David Zaharakis, Brendon Goddard and Watson had 10 possessions or fewer.
Among their stars Heppell was the exception, racking up 15 possessions (eight contested) and kicking two goals in the second quarter alone as he fought a lone hand.
Bombers defender Mark Baguley will face scrutiny from the Match Review Panel on Monday for an off-the-ball hit on Lonie, which sent the 18-year-old to the turf and sparked a scuffle.
ESSENDON 1.0 5.1 7.3 8.4 (52)
ST KILDA 5.3 10.8 17.9 25.12 (162)
GOALS
Essendon: Hooker 3, Heppell 2,Cooney, Daniher, Hibberd
St Kilda: Bruce 5,Riewoldt 4, Montagna 2, Weller 2, Armitage 2, Sinclair 2, Membrey 2, Newnes, Lonie, Webster, Savage, Schneider, Dunstan
BEST
Essendon: Heppell, Hurley, McKernan
St Kilda: Armitage, Steven, Lonie, Roberton, Bruce, Riewoldt, Dempster, Montagna
INJURIES
Essendon: Jason Winderlich (shin) replaced in the selected side by Ben Howlett, Adam Cooney (groin)
St Kilda: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Ben Howlett replaced Adam Cooney in the third quarter.
St Kilda: Luke Dunstan replaced Sam Fisher at three quarter time.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O'Gorman, Ryan, Meredith
Official crowd: 38,020 at Etihad Stadium
