By Shayne Hope and Katie Bice
Essendon coach Brad Scott has lamented his side’s “third rate” effort as their finals hopes were dealt another massive blow in a 53-point upset thrashing from St Kilda.
Scott’s disappointment was palpable as he laid out the reasons for his side’s defeat on Saturday night.
Essendon’s performance was hard to watch for fans.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“The end result, extremely disappointing but more disappointing than that was, you know, a lack of effort and intent which has been present for most of the year,” he said.
“Particularly in the third quarter our effort and intent in the contest was really poor.
“It doesn’t take much in this game, if you drop off in that area, for you to look second rate and we looked third rate today.”
Scott said “negligible pressure in our forward half” and a lack of competitiveness at both ends of the ground cost his side.
The Saints slammed on seven goals to one in a decisive period to bury the Bombers.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“We want to play a style that’s competitive against the best teams … and right here, right now we’re not there,” he said. “That’s pretty obvious.”
Star defender Jordan Ridley was also substituted out with a corked hip in their 17.6 (108) to 8.7 (55) loss at Marvel Stadium.
Essendon are in danger of slipping out of the top eight, having lost six of their last eight games with matches against Fremantle, Gold Coast, Sydney and Brisbane to come.
It was horror watching for Bombers fans as their side failed to fire a shot in one of the most important moments of their season so far.
The Saints piled on seven goals to one during the decisive third quarter, including three majors to skipper Jack Steele.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera starred for St Kilda, who are out of finals contention but have won three of their past four games in a late-season purple patch.
Dashing playmaker Wanganeen-Milera had 30 disposals and six score involvements at half-back, and capped off a fine display with his first goal of the season.
Cooper Sharman kicked three goals and had 10 marks in a career-best performance, while Jack Sinclair (28 disposals), Riley Bonner (22) and veteran Zak Jones (22) were all busy.
Skipper Steele (21 touches) and ruckman Rowan Marshall (27 disposals, eight clearances) led from the front.
Essendon will have to lift their game in a hotly contested field to make the top eight.Credit: Getty Images
Anthony Caminiti (three) and Tim Membrey (two) also kicked multiple goals as St Kilda racked up their second-highest score of the season.
The Saints’ conversion rate - 23 scores from 43 forward entries - and accuracy were superb, highlighted by Owens, Membrey and Caminiti all nailing goals from deep in the same pocket.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett (24 disposals, one goal) never stopped trying in a well-beaten side, while Dylan Shiel kicked two goals.
The Saints produced a hot start and led 5.1 to 2.3 at quarter-time then repeatedly poked holes in Essendon’s defensive structures and took seven marks to two inside 50m in the opening term.
Three goals in as many minutes briefly gave the Bombers the lead midway through the second quarter but St Kilda steadied and took a nine-point advantage to the main break.
Essendon’s pressure dropped away during the crucial third quarter as St Kilda piled on the first six goals of the term and took a stranglehold on the contest.
In a telling statistic, the Saints finished with a massive tally of 133 uncontested marks while winning the contested mark count 16-5.
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