Australian Football

Match Report

St Kilda has defied the expectations of most to record a rousing come-from-behind win against a disappointing Essendon at Docklands on Saturday night. The win sees the Saints, widely tipped as a bottom four team this year, move into ninth place on the ladder, only percentage behind fourth-placed West Coast.

The Saints had been hammered at the same venue by Adelaide a week earlier and were not expected to cause the Bombers any trouble. And for the first quarter of this match, it looked as though they would not. The Bombers kicked the first three goals of the match via David Myers, Leroy Jetta and Jaker Melksham and by quarter time it was five goals to one and a big Essendon win looked to be on the cards.

But an early second-quarter goal to Saint skipper Nick Riewoldt kept St Kilda to within a couple of goals. The Saints then upped the defensive pressure and the game tightened up, with goals hard to come by. It was not until the 22-minute mark that another major was scored and it was Riewoldt again who kicked it, cutting the margin to just seven points. The Saints added a behind before a shocking defensive turnover from Essendon allowed Jarryn Geary to goal and level the scores just before the half-time siren sounded.

Despite St Kilda's strong second quarter, most at the ground believed that Essendon would regain its composure after the long break and go on to record a comfortable win. They were wrong. It was the Saints, through Adam Schneider, who kicked the first goal of the third term to give his side an 11-point buffer. Jetta responded for the Bombers but Riewoldt bobbed up once more with a great mark and goal at the 16-minute mark. Less than three minutes later, Leigh Montagna snapped another to give St Kilda a 14 point lead. Brent Stanton kept Essendon in touch with the last goal of the third term but the Saints were still 10 points to the good at the final change of ends.

The first 10 minutes of the final quarter were tense, with each side missing opportunities in front of goal but Schneider broke the deadlock when he was found alone inside 50 and kicked a goal, despite dropping an easy mark. With the Saints 16 points ahead, the Bombers needed to mount one final challenge. It did not come. Riewoldt marked and goaled again and second-gamer Jack Billings added another at the 15-minute mark to put St Kilda 28 points ahead. Brent Stanton kicked a couple of late consolation goals for Essendon but St Kilda finished the match as impressive 16-point victors.

Essendon coach Mark Thompson refused to blame the loss on illness and a tough match in Perth in hot conditions the previous week but conceded that they may have been a factor. The Dons are now 10th on the ladder with two wins from five games and will face Collingwood at the MCG on ANZAC Day.

St Kilda, meanwhile, will have a genuine chance at making it four wins from six when it meets the winless Brisbane at Wellington on the same day.

GOALS
Essendon: Stanton 3; Jetta, Melksham 2; Myers, Ryder
St. Kilda: Riewoldt 5; Billings, Schneider 2; Geary, Montagna

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Essendon: Stanton, Watson, Chapman, Myers
St. Kilda: Riewoldt, Hayes, Montagna, Newnes, Gwilt, Billings, Ray

BEST - SPORTAL.COM.AU
Essendon: Hooker, Stanton, Watson, Chapman, Fletcher
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Montagna, Hayes, Steven, Billing, Stanley, Curren

INJURIES
Essendon: Hocking (hand), Hardingham (leg)
St. Kilda: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Jason Ashby replaced Heath Hocking (hand) in the third quarter.
St. Kilda: Seb Ross replaced Eli Templeton in the fourth quarter.

UMPIRES: Fisher, Stevic, Harris

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Brian Taylor, Luke Darcy, Matthew Richardson, Cameron Ling