Essendon started well in the third term with a goal to Orazio Fantasia.  Sam Michael and then Joe Daniher took big contested marks but failed to convert.  Shortly after Jayden Laverde laid a big tackle deep inside 50, nailed the goal and put the Dons in front.

The Bombers pressure all over the ground, particularly in attack, has been a feature of the game.  Early in the third term the Dons were up to 43 tackles (51 at three quarter time).  

The Bombers scored 2.2.14 from forward half intercepts in the opening two quarters.  After they break, the Dons kicked 2.1.13 from forward half intercepts in the first ten minutes of the term.

Josh Bruce has an excellent record against Essendon, kicking 15 goals in his last three games. Michael Hartley kept him goalless for the first two and a half quarters, before the Saint opened his account.  Bruce is also spending time in the ruck, to relieve Tom Hickey.

The Saints started to swing the momentum in the middle of the term.  They kicked three in a row to take a 14 point lead, before Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked his second to keep the Dons in touch.

A late goal to St Kilda saw the margin back out to 14 points nearing the three quarter time siren, before a contested mark to Walla, set up Joe Daniher to kick a goal in the dying seconds.

The margin is nine points at the last change.

Zach Merrett (26), Brendon Goddard (25), Adam Cooney (23) and Walla (16) are the Bombers leading ball winners.