The in-form St. Kilda poses a massive threat to the Bombers this Saturday night. With a potent forward structure including Fraser Gehrig, Aaron Hamill and Nick Reiwoldt, Essendon will have its work cut out. Kevin Sheedy was quick to highlight his opponents’ strengths, while pointing out there is plenty of room for improvement in his side - a crucial factor if the Dons are to be successful in Round 2.

""They (St. Kilda) have been strong. Every club in the competition know that they have been strong. That’s going to be the framework and the structure of the St. Kilda footy club for years to come,"" he said.

However, Sheedy didn’t dismiss his sides’ chances despite the team’s horror start to the season. ""I think that winning the ball for a start will be important. Port Power had the ball more than us. I think that they (Port) won in a lot of areas where we had an achilles heal last week that we won’t have this week. That will be pretty important to us,"" he pointed out.

With experienced faces back in the side this week, Sheedy was excited about the clash with the Saints. He is also well aware of the task that confronts the Bombers for the remainder of the season.

""These are new sides, for both teams. We will go in with a new side and St. Kilda are a growing young side,"" Sheedy stated.

""We win the game (this week) then all of a sudden people will look at us. We’ve got to put that back on the table don’t we? Get back in the ballpark and have a chance for 2004, instead of being last, because that is where we are, last,"" he said.