In the Essendon defence, Michael Hartley is on Josh Bruce and Michael Hurley is playing on Nick Riewoldt.

At the other end of the ground former Bomber Jake Carlisle is on Joe Daniher and Nathan Brown is playing on Cale Hooker.

Essendon scored from each of their first six forward 50 entries including a goal to Joe Daniher from a spectacular mark.

At the same time the Saints had been inside 50 eight times for one score. 

When Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked the Dons second midway through the opening term the Dons led 16-1.

The Bombers recorded 33 more disposals than the Saints in the opening term and took a 15-point lead into the first change.

By early in the second term the Dons had taken four marks inside 50 but some wayward kicking left the scoreline reading 2.7.19 to 1.3.9.

A second goal to Daniher at the eight minute mark gave the Dons a 16 point lead and reward for their territorial edge.

The inaccuracy continued but Daniher was a reliable conveyance in front of goal and his third put the Dons in front 4.9.33 to 1.4.16 with six minutes left in the half.

And when David Zaharakis and Josh Green snapped truly late in the quarter the Bombers had established a handy break heading into half time.