ESSENDON inflicted St Kilda's third defeat of the year after winning a titanic tussle at Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

Ruckman Paddy Ryder threaded home from the right forward pocket to seal the 12-point win, 14.9 (93) to 11.15 (81).

The Saints, who lost just twice during last year's home and away season - including to Essendon after winning their first 19 games - have now lost three of their last four, with their only recent win an eleventh-hour escape against the Western Bulldogs in round six.

Both sides suffered casualties in a bruising encounter. Bomber defender Cale Hooker suffered a grade one tear to his hamstring and teammate Michael Hurley appeared to injure his hip.

St Kilda's Jason Gram never looked right and spent much of the match on the bench with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, David Hille and Steven Baker both went in the umpires’ books for rough conduct and wrestling respectively.

Jobe Watson did all the grunt work in the middle for the Bombers, finishing with 25 possessions.

David Myers looked very impressive in just his second senior match of the season; his efficient disposal across half-back a big contribution for the Bombers.

Hooker’s injury looked set to have a huge effect on the Bombers as he was the main man in defence on Justin Koschitzke. The Saints forward kicked three goals - including the first two of the match.

But the most effective forward for the Saints wasn’t actually a forward. Michael Gardiner played predominantly as a ruckman but occasionally floated forward to finish with three goals.

The downside of having Sam Fisher up forward was felt up the other end of the ground as the Saints defence lacked his accountability and dash from the back half.

Nick Dal Santo responded to a quiet game last week with 32 disposals, most of which were damaging.

The Bombers set the pace in the third quarter with four unanswered goals. Ryder might have looked quiet on the stats sheet but he had a big effect on the third term all around the ground. He also finished off well to kick three goals. Hille kept his head up after his early report to kick four.

St Kilda had plenty of chances in the final term. They kicked four goals and could have scored a couple more but for some inaccurate kicking.

St Kilda       2.3       5.8       7.11    11.15 (81)
Essendon     1.4       6.4       10.6    14.9 (93)

GOALS
St Kilda:  Gardiner 3, Koschitzke 3, Hayes, Fisher, Dal Santo, Milne, McQualter
Essendon:  Hille 4, Ryder 3, Monfries 2, Hocking, Atkinson, Gumbleton, Zaharakis, Melksham

BEST
St Kilda: Hayes, Montagna, Gilbert, Dal Santo, Goddard
Essendon: Hille, Watson, Hocking, Ryder, Davey, Dempsey

INJURIES
St Kilda: Jason Gram (hamstring)
Essendon: Sam Lonergan (leg) replaced in selected side by Travis Colyer, Cale Hooker (hamstring).

REPORTS
St Kilda: Steven Baker reported for wrestling with Leroy Jetta in the second quarter
Essendon: David Hille reported for rough conduct against Brendon Goddard in the first quarter.

Umpires: Kamolins, Findlay, McBurney

Official crowd: 39,204 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.