Essendon trails St Kilda by 22 points at half-time in its round two clash at Marvel Stadium.
Both sides took some time to settle into the game, wasting early opportunities in front of goal and turning the ball over through the middle of the ground.
The Saints were first to capitalise on the scoreboard through key forward Josh Bruce, who crumbed the ball and snapped a tidy goal 14 minutes into the game.
The goal certainly got the ball rolling for St Kilda, but the team was once again wasteful in the forward line, letting the Dons off the hook with a series of behinds before eventually booting its second major when Tim Membrey kicked truly 19 minutes into the term.
The Bombers continued to play shakily throughout the term, struggling to get it out of defence and finishing the quarter with just two behinds, 17 points adrift.
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Squandering early opportunities once again in the second quarter, Essendon again failed to hit the scoreboard and a Bruce screamer saw the Saint kick his second early in the term.
Another goal followed through Luke Dunstan, extending St Kilda’s lead to 27 just seven minutes into the quarter.
But Essendon, finally, broke through soon after with dangerous forward Jake Stringer showing good composure to snap truly for the side’s first goal.
Matthew Parker and Dean Kent were the next Saints to get in on the action with two in two minutes as the side continued to dominate the inside 50s, but Bomber Mark Baguley quickly responded to steady the ship.
The intensity continued to rise throughout the term as Essendon moved the ball with greater purpose, fighting their way back into the contest.
Tensions repeatedly boiled over as the half played out, with neither side able to make their chances count until the Bombers were granted a repreive through a free kick on the goal line, Devon Smith from converting right in front.
Jade Gresham immediately answered back with a minute left on the clock before experienced midfielder David Myers converted a crucial goal with seconds remaining.
The Bombers showed good fight to close out the half, eventually entered the main break within touch.
See the full match report and post-game coverage on essendonfc.com.au.
ESSENDON 0.2 4.5 (29)
ST KILDA 2.7 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Essendon – Stringer, Baguley, Smith, Myers
St Kilda – Bruce 2, Membrey, Dunstan, Parker, Kent, Gresham
