Essendon has continued its recent dominance over St Kilda, running all over the Saints to post an emphatic 52-point win on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
The Bombers made it four straight wins against Ross Lyon’s side with a dominant four-quarter performance, never relinquishing the lead from the moment Angus Monfries kicked a goal before the game had even started when he was awarded a free kick before the first bounce.
With an eight-goal-to-five second half, Essendon extended its half-time lead of 35 points and won 21.10 (136) to St Kilda’s 12.12 (84).
Jobe Watson led his side superbly throughout the game, picking up 32 touches and also moving forward to kick three goals.
Underlining Essendon’s dominance across the ground, Watson was one of seven multiple goalkickers for the Bombers, with David Zaharakis, Jason Winderlich and Michael Hurley also booting three majors each.
The loss leaves the Saints winless after three rounds - St Kilda’s worst start to a season since Lyon took over the role in 2007.
The Bombers made it four straight wins against Ross Lyon’s side with a dominant four-quarter performance, never relinquishing the lead from the moment Angus Monfries kicked a goal before the game had even started when he was awarded a free kick before the first bounce.
With an eight-goal-to-five second half, Essendon extended its half-time lead of 35 points and won 21.10 (136) to St Kilda’s 12.12 (84).
Jobe Watson led his side superbly throughout the game, picking up 32 touches and also moving forward to kick three goals.
Underlining Essendon’s dominance across the ground, Watson was one of seven multiple goalkickers for the Bombers, with David Zaharakis, Jason Winderlich and Michael Hurley also booting three majors each.
The loss leaves the Saints winless after three rounds - St Kilda’s worst start to a season since Lyon took over the role in 2007.
It was a disappointing way for the Saints to celebrate Nick Riewoldt’s 200th game. The St Kilda champion was his side’s only real force up forward in the first half, kicking three goals, before he went up for a mark and hit his head after landing awkwardly. He left the field and returned in the second half, but had little impact on the result.
Though the Bombers have had a good record over St Kilda - despite the Saints making the Grand Final the past two seasons - this was their most assertive win.
Not only did it attack with freedom when they were allowed space, James Hird’s side squeezed St Kilda and forced its group of experienced players into making errors across the ground.
It was a commanding performance from the Bombers, but one just as worrying for St Kilda.
St Kilda 5.3 7.5 8.9 12.12 (84)
Essendon 8.2 13.2 19.5 21.10 (136)
GOALS
St Kilda:Riewoldt 3, Milne 2, Steven 2, Dal Santo, Fisher, Gram, Montagna, Stanley
Essendon:Hurley 3, Watson 3, Winderlich 3, Zaharakis 3, Howlett, Monfries, Ryder 2, Crameri, Jetta, Bellchambers
BEST
St Kilda:Gram, Dal Santo, Armitage, Fisher, Ray
Essendon:Watson, Hocking, Bellchambers, Ryder, Crameri, Hurley, Fletcher
INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Ryan Gamble replaced by Brett Peake in the third quarter
Essendon: Angus Monfries replaced by Alwyn Davey in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires:Donlon, McBurney, Armstrong
Official crowd: 47,762 at Etihad Stadium
