Essendon's VFLW side has recovered from a slow start to defeat the Southern Saints and remain undefeated.

The Bombers were held goalless in the opening term, but clicked into gear in the second to claim a 5.6 (36) to 4.2 (26) victory - their first ever against the Saints - at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday.

The fourth-placed Saints, who held the Bombers to a draw at the NEC Hangar in round five, again provided another stern test for the top-of-the-table Essendon, kicking the first two goals of the game and locking the ball inside their forward half.

The Bombers dialled up the pressure in the second term, however, and were rewarded with a three-goal-to-zero quarter to hold a seven-point lead at the main break.

That lead was extended to 13 points at three-quarter time, but just as the Bombers looked set to run away with a comfortable victory, the Saints hit back to cut the deficit to just two points with eight minutes remaining.

MATCH CENTRE: All the stats from win over Saints

A clutch finish from Grace Dicker in the final minutes sealed the deal for the Bombers, keeping them on top ahead of the final round of the home and away season.

Forwards Mia-Rae Clifford and Federica Frew again did the damage in attack with two majors each, with the latter still leading the league for goals.

Stars Jordan Zanchetta (19 disposals, five clearances) and Renee Tierney (16 disposals, four tackles) made their presence felt in their returns, while co-captain Georgia Nanscawen again led the Bombers for disposals (21) and tackles (nine).

The Bombers will host third-placed Casey in their final game of the home and away season from 11:05am at Windy Hill on Saturday, with finals to begin on the weekend of June 11/12.

SOUTHERN SAINTS  2.1  2.1  2.2  4.2 (26)
ESSENDON  0.1  3.2  4.3  5.6 (36)

Goals: Clifford 2, Frew 2, Dicker

Disposals: Nanscawen 21, Anthony 20, Zanchetta 19, Radford 17