HEAD TO HEAD:

Played: 211

Essendon: 140

St Kilda: 67

Draw: 4

PAST FIVE TIMES:

R9, 2016, St Kilda 16.13 (109) d Essendon 9.9 (63) at Etihad Stadium

R14, 2015, St Kilda 25.12 (162) d Essendon 8.4 (52) at Etihad Stadium

R5, 2015, Essendon 11.16 (82) d St Kilda 11.14 (80) at Etihad Stadium

R5, 2014, St Kilda 11.15 (81) d Essendon 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium

R4, 2013, Essendon 19.14 (128) d St Kilda 13.13 (91) at Etihad Stadium 

LAST TIME WE MET:

Less than two months have passed since these two sides last squared off.

Essendon remained competitive until half-time when it trailed by only 10 points.

But Josh Bruce proved to be the difference as he led the Saints to a seven-goal-to-three third term.

Bruce finished with a bag of five goals.  Mitch Brown kicked four for the Bombers and Brendon Goddard collected 30 possessions.

KEY PLAYERS:

It will be a young Essendon outfit that takes the field on Sunday.  Just eight members of the selected side have played more than 50 AFL games - and among those eight are promising youngsters Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher.

In the absence of David Zaharakis, extra attention will be given to Merrett and his ability to maintain his excellent form will be important.

Josh Bruce has kicked 15 goals against the Bombers in his last three outtings, so Michael Hartley's ability to contain him will also be a key factor in the result.