Essendon coach Brad Scott conceded his side's slow start, which saw them concede the first five goals of the game, was always going to be difficult to come back from.

"There were two periods where they got on a roll and kicked 10 of their 14 goals in a short space of time," Scott said.

"We were really badly beaten in the contest early and Wilkie was just really dominant early.

"We arrested that and made some changes, both in terms of personnel but also in our general fight and willingness to compete.

"But if you give a side like St Kilda that defend very well a 34-point head start, it's going to be hard to peg them back.

"It was a disappointing start but I'm really pleased with the fight and the effort to turn it around."