As the party was brought to the MCG and the legends of bygone Saints eras descended upon footy’s spiritual home, the current-day Saints entered battle to celebrate 150 years of St Kilda. Seeking to spoil the party: the Bombers. A team rejuvenated by a new coach – like the Saints – and playing a daring brand of footy. The stage set, the potential for drama ready, let’s see what happened.
Fast Start
On a night of celebration, the 2023 Saints played into the festivities. The Saints had a fast start, piling on five goals in short time. Of there 5.4 before Essendon’s first score, 4.3.27 came from turnovers, and they were dominant around the ball. The Saints set the tone for the game early, making sure that the Bombers were on the back foot and were chasing the game from the get-go.
Ability to Fight Back
While the Saints set the tone early, over the course of the game, the Bombers were able to respond. They even got scores level into the final term, before the Saints were able to run over them late. The Tulla boys did a great job bringing the game back onto even terms, but in the end, the energy spent defending and chasing the game, proved a bridge too far in terms of getting in front.
At the point of the Bombers drawing level, the Saints found another gear piling on five consecutive goals to put the game to bed. They were able to halt the Bombers momentum, and completely put the game back on their own terms.
Both teams should a great ability to fight back when under pressure and when the momentum was against them. This is something good teams find themselves able to do – to change the momentum with their back against the wall. Both teams were able to do that and it sets them in good stead for the rest of the season.
Defensive Growth
Both sides have lacked structure behind the ball in recent seasons. They’d become easy to score against, and couldn’t lock the ball in their front half on a regular basis. However, as can often happen when a new coach comes in, structures can be refreshed and players start to buy in. While both teams scored runs of goals in the match, there has been a significant improvement in the defence of both teams.
The Saints in particular showed some defensive steel – even though they’re missing their Steele – and were able to limit the Bombers’ scoreboard output, particularly in the first half. The Bombers responded after quarter time and held sway with field position for much of the second term, but with the likes of Cal Wilkie – skippering the side on this big occasion – leading the line, the Saints were able to weather the storm effectively. Ross the Boss has brought his esteemed defensive edge to the Saints, while also promoting ball movement and offence.
For the Bombers, there are still some kinks to work out, but Brad Scott has got the Bombers building well from defence and around the contest. While they did leak goals on a few occasions, they have shown in recent weeks an ability to withstand at times. The longer they play together with a new system, I think we will see more consistency in the defence of the Bombers, to match their scoring power.
Midfield Battle
Both teams’ midfields have had some great moments through the season. They have bullocking mids who win the contest and distribute the footy to the runners and efficient ball users. With the loss of captain Jack Steele, how would the Saints go? Could the Essendon engine room continue to run amok?
Come the end of the game, Essendon led effective clearances 35-21 and outscored the Saints from this source by 14 points. Sam Draper also had more hitouts to advantage, giving his side first use of the footy. With that all said, the Bombers still couldn’t capitalise on their midfield dominance. Their engine room were great and gave them field position advantage on numerous occasions however, as mentioned above, the Saints were able to hold out in defence. Not only did they simply prevent them from scoring, the Saints kicked 11.5.71 from turnovers, outscoring the Bombers by 32 points from this.
While Essendon won the clearance battle, it was the ability for the Saints to find the width in the ground, from defence, that set them up to win.
Owning the Moments
In close games, there are always moments that matter. Dan Butler took his opportunities in the third quarter, keeping the Bombers at bay. Having been held goalless in the opening two rounds, he booted four on the night, including two late in the third quarter.
Going into the last quarter, Essendon needed everything to go their way if they were going to leave with the four points. Enter Jye Caldwell. Now, some of you may go “but at least one of his goals was luck!” and that may be the case, however, he was in the right spots at the right times and kicked two absolutely incredible goals – the second, a left-foot floater from deep in the pocket having crumbed a stoppage had the crowd explode. Sometimes you make your own luck, and the way Caldwell put his team on his shoulders was huge.
Credit must also go to Archie Perkins for a great long-range goal in the third term – the first of that quarter – to start the swing, and also to Liam Stocker. The former Blue hasn’t hit the heights that some may expect from his draft range, but some of his positioning all night was fantastic. And he was clutch more than once in the second half with his intercept marking.
From the Viewing Gallery
Saints yet to concede Q4 goal. 150th celebration for Saints.
Mason Wood is probably the most improved player in the league in 2023. His ability to spread, to use the ball well, and hit the scoreboard has significantly improved the Saints and given them more avenues to goal.
Two former Tigers had nights out. Between Jack Higgins and Dan Butler, they kicked 8.0 and had a bunch of assists. They found space and they were accurate. When the game needed players to step up, both of these players were up for the fight and the responsibility.
I’m a big fan of Jye Menzie. He’s only a little bloke, but his competitiveness is elite. He makes things happen inside 50 for the Bombers and every tackle he lays, he makes his opponent earn it.
Nic Martin’s running capacity and scoreboard impact is underrated. He just seems to find space all the time and it’s across the whole game. He is a valuable asset for the Bombers.
Not player related, but great job to Saints fans (and Bombers fans) for turning out en masse. Saturday night was the biggest crowd for a Saints Home & Away match in history and just under 70K. While some clubs’ fans may dismiss that, it’s a great achievement on a night of celebration for the Saints.
On a night of celebration for the Saints, which looked to be a blowout early, the game became high scoring and was entertaining for the most part. The Saints go to 3-0 and host the Suns at Marvel next Saturday night, while on Sunday, the Bombers combat the Orange Team at the same venue.
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