We’re well and truly entering the pointy end of the season now.

Fans can expect a high ante for the Bombers’ clash with St Kilda on Saturday afternoon as they look to rectify last week’s disappointing defeat to Adelaide and reconsolidate their spot in the top eight.

As the competition nears the end of one of its closest home-and-away campaigns to date, every result could have big implications on the final standings and Saturday’s matchup is no exception.

Midfield bolstered, experience added

A key factor in the Bombers’ push for a first win since round 17 will be the return of Darcy Parish.

Sidelined since round 10 with a calf injury and subsequent setback, Parish’s inclusion has come at an optimal time, set to provide the side with an experienced head and a welcome boost at clearances.

The Dons also regain a pair of refreshed, experienced players with former skipper Dyson Heppell and sharpshooter Peter Wright back in action after last week’s omissions.

Managing ebbs and flows

Although last week’s loss showed bursts of the Bombers’ best, including an eight-goal third term explosion, their quarter-to-quarter lapses didn’t allow them to fully capitalise.

Adelaide’s nine-goal second term created an uphill battle in the second half and gave them a platform to put on the pressure in the final minutes of the contest, which the Bombers struggled to respond to.

In similar fashion to their loss against Melbourne, the Dons won the inside 50 count and looked to have an advantage in typically decisive statistical categories, however were let down by their inefficiency going forward late, as well as their difficulties in locking down Adelaide’s transition going the other way.

The Bombers will be eager to make their chances count in response on Saturday.

Recent history

Winning three of their last four over the Saints, recent history between the two sides has favoured the Bombers.

A 75-point thrashing in round three of the 2021 season was the most significant margin from those results, with Essendon’s only loss to the Saints since coming in a narrow 18-point defeat in 2023.

Fans were treated to a heart-in-mouth finish the last time the clubs met in round three this season, with some long-range late heroics from Jake Stringer making the difference in what’d been a low-scoring, tense affair up to that stage.

Looking back further, the two clubs have been involved in their share of close finishes.

This week's fixture throwback looks at one of the more dramatic in the catalogue, where the Bombers found themselves defending a late St Kilda comeback in round 20 of the 2009 season.

With the Saints sitting 19-0 for the season at that stage, the Bombers were also looking to hold onto the club's record of consecutive wins in a season (20), which they'd achieved in their Premiership year of 2000.

The Bombers lock horns with St Kilda from 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Check out the full gameday guide here.