AAMI Community Series Essendon v St Kilda: All the news, action and fallout from AFL pre-season game

St Kilda will be without six key players for its Round 1 showdown with Collingwood as it counts the cost of a bruising AAMI Series win against Essendon.

Jon Ralph

@RalphyHeraldSun

6 min read

March 6, 2022 - 4:21PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

AFL

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St Kilda will have at least six first-choice names out of its Round 1 clash against Collingwood after a dirty night with injuries against Essendon.

Emerging midfielder Hunter Clark is facing at least a month on the sidelines and potentially six weeks with scans on Sunday confirming he snapped his AC joint in a bruising collision with Darcy Parish.

Jack Billings pulled up sore with a tight hamstring and will also be out for at least a month, ruling him out of Round 1.

The worst-case prognosis on the Saints’ prime movers came after the Saints played an excellent brand of football in their AAMI Series win over Essendon.

They will go into their Round 1 clash against the Pies without key personnel that include Zak Jones (personal leave), Nick Coffield (ACL), Paddy Ryder (achilles) and Dan Hannebery (conditioning).

Hunter Clark in pain after hurting his shoulder. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Coach Brett Ratten said Clark, who broke his jaw in a collision with Adelaide’s David McKay last year, should keep playing tough head-over-the-ball football.

“We don’t want to take that away from him and that’s the stuff we’re pushing him to keep doing as a player. It’s a bit of a signature for him to do that. I think it shows great courage for him to do what he did, especially after that broken jaw,” he said.

“He’s maybe a little bit too brave at times but he was a little bit unlucky. I think it was the right angle and he had (an arm) stretched out so he’s a bit unfortunate.”

Brad Hill has been settled in as a running defender and shone with 28 disposals against the Dons, with Josh Battle also looking comfortable in the back six awith 19 possessions and six marks.

Tim Membrey (three goals), Max King (two goals, five marks) and likely first-round debutante Jack Hayes (1.1) combined well as a forward trio, with Hayes ahead of late-season revelation Cooper Sharman for selection in Round 1.

Sharman came on only in the last term, when the club’s first draft pick Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera won seven late possessions in his first taste of action.

Saints preview new style against dysfunctional Dons

– Dylan Bolch

Essendon and St Kilda played out a fierce contest at Marvel Stadium, with the Saints prevailing by 10 points.

St Kilda’s ball movement was impressive all night, with a desire to use the overlap runner and move the ball quickly a real focus for Brett Ratten’s men.

The Saints got off to a hot start through goal sneak Dan Butler, who booted the opening two goals of the contest.

The Dons did not give in though, and stuck with the Saints all night.

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St Kilda’s Jade Gresham fires out a handball under pressure from Bomber Jye Caldwell. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Saints coach Brett Ratten said everyone at the club was still reeling from the death of cricket legend and huge Saints fan Shane Warne.

“Everybody at the footy club was in shock, I think the whole of Australia was in shock,” Ratten said.

“He was a great Saints man … he has touched all (the players) in different ways.”

Warne was a regular at Moorabbin and he adored his St Kilda Saints.

“We wanted to talk about what Shane did for sport and what he did for our football club.

“It was only just before Christmas I had an hour-and-a-half on a boat with Shane raising some money for the Danny Frawley Centre,” said Ratten.

“He was willing to give up his time to come and help out the football club, that’s the type of person he was.”

Brett Ratten and St Kilda players observe a minute’s silence in memory of Shane Warne before the clash against Essendon. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Essendon assistant coach Blake Caracella described the Bombers forward line as “a work in progress”.

“We’ve certainly got a young forward line, I think as the game played out we had a lot of chances to score but unfortunately we didn’t take our chances,” said Caracella.

Young forward Kaine Baldwin had some nice moments for the Bombers and Caracella was pleased with his impact on the game.

“He did a lot of things off the ball that probably wouldn’t be seen on television screens.

“We are really happy with his progress.”

Archie Perkins was another shining light from the clash against the Saints, splitting his time forward and in the midfield, kicking two crucial last quarter goals whilst racking up 17 possessions.

“He’s such a powerful player who can win the ball on the ground and in the air.

“We are looking forward to him developing his game even more.”

New signing Nick Martin entered the match in the second half and did his Round 1 chances no harm, putting together a solid performance which included 12 disposals in the third quarter.

“I thought he played really well, he earnt himself a spot on the list after his performance last week against the Dogs.

“I thought he added a touch of class and run to our side.”

Jake Stringer, Aaron Francis and Dylan Shiel will all be available for Round 1 whilst there are no issues surrounding Zach Merrett’s fitness despite the star midfielder withdrawing from the match at halftime.

Kaine Baldwin had some nice moments for the Bombers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Essendon booted their first goal through super boot Mason Redman, who kicked truly from outside 50 after a handball receive from Zach Merrett.

The Saints were making the most of their forward 50 entries, with a five-goal-to-two first term.

Goals from Peter Wright either side of quarter time allowed the Dons to settle, as they wrestled momentum back from the Saints.

The Bombers began to look in control as the second quarter wore on, stamping their authority on the match through territory dominance.

However, two majors from ex-Roo Mason Wood and a long-range goal from midfielder Brad Crouch ensured that the Saints were rewarded for their efficient ball movement taking a 16-point lead into the main break.

Tim Membrey stepped up in the third term for St Kilda booting two goals for the quarter, but the match had evened up in general play as the Bombers created better opportunities for their forward line.

Back-to-back goals from youngster Archie Perkins lit a fire for the Bombers, who cut the margin back to less than a goal and the Dons were coming with all the momentum.

Star forward Max King iced the game for the Saints though, kicking truly in the final minute to put the game out of reach for the Dons.

Sam Draper and Rowan Marshall go head-to-head on Saturday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Over the hill

Brad Hill was busy early playing off half back, amassing 12 disposals in the first term.

The former Hawk and Docker has been much maligned since arriving at Moorabbin on a big money deal but has rediscovered his groove in the back half of the ground for the Saints.

Hill’s run and carry was a vital asset for the Saints, who appear as though they will look to play an exciting, fast brand of footy this season.

Hill finished with a game-high 28 disposals and was the dominant player on the ground.

Bow down to the King

Max King looks set to go to another level in 2022, after a commanding display early against the Bombers.

The gun Saint took several contested grabs around the ground, proving a handful for Essendon’s undersized defence.

King is already one of the most promising key forwards in the game, but he looks set to improve on his haul of 38 goals from last season.

The stats sheet didn’t reflect King’s impact on the contest, but his performance will fill him with plenty of confidence heading into the 2022 season.

St Kilda’s SSP signing Jack Hayes look comfortable at AFL level against the Bombers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

State league stars transition well

Both Jack Hayes and Nick Martin took their opportunities with both hands on Saturday night, as they set themselves for early season debuts.

With Patrick Ryder absent, Hayes was given the green light to partner Rowan Marshall in the ruck for the Saints.

Hayes competed well and was rarely beaten in the air looking comfortable at AFL level.

Martin entered the game in the second half when Zach Merrett was managed and had an immediate impact, notching 12 disposals in the third term finishing with 16 disposals in just a half of footy.

Essendon forward structure?

After the off-season departure of veteran Cale Hooker and the absence of star forward Jake Stringer with a groin injury, the Bombers forward line appeared to be slightly dysfunctional at different stages throughout the match.

Peter Wright has become one of the best set shots in the competition and was one of the better forwards on the ground against the Saints, while Kaine Baldwin had some good moments as he tracks for a Round 1 debut.

However, Harrison Jones struggled to get into the contest going goalless and having very little influence on the result of the game.

There is also question marks over the Bombers small forwards, with no timeline set for Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s return and no obvious replacement for the dynamic excitement machine.

Archie Perkins looked good and came to life in the final quarter, lifting the Bombers faithful.

Perkins kicked two majors and had 17 possessions but as he develops, the Bombers will be hoping to use him through the midfield too, where he played a lot of his junior career.