Joe Daniher boots four as Essendon belts St Kilda
TODAY’S LINE-UP: Matthew Lloyd, Tony Shaw, Daniel Harford, Mick Warner, Dwayne Russell, Shane McInnes, and Doc Larkins.
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Saints gun Jack Newnes told 3AW the team was “embarrassed all over the ground”.
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Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett starred in midfield with 37 touches and ten tackles.
Merrett told 3AW it was the manner of the win that was most pleasing.
He also said James Kelly gives a lot of his time to the younger players in the group.
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FULL TIME
Essendon has belted St Kilda by 61 points.
Joe Daniher booted four goals, while James Kelly turned back the clock across half back.
Tony Shaw said it’s not the first time the Saints have failed to turn up to a match they were favoured to win.
“They came out with no fire at all. Their pressure and tackling was almost non-existent,” Shawry said.
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HALF TIME
Essendon leads by 28 points at the main break.
Joe Daniher has three goals and one of the marks of the season.
Matthew Lloyd said Dylan Roberton has been particularly bad for the Saints.
Tony Shaw said St Kilda looked like they’d believed the hype that has surrounded them since they smashed Richmond last week.
Daniel Harford said it’s “disgusting” that the Saints have laid just 21 tackles.
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QUARTER TIME
St Kilda is a long way off last week’s form.
The Bombers lead by 15 points at the first break, but it should be more.
Tony Shaw said they may have fallen into the same trap that Richmond fell into against them last week – namely believing the hype around them.
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Tony Battle, father of St Kilda’s debutant Josh, joined the 3AW box before the game.
Tony, who prefers the name Toss, said he’s “over the moon”.
“The hard work he’s done has been amazing,” Toss said.
Also present was Josh’s junior coach at Haileybury College – 3AW commentator Matthew Lloyd.
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Essendon assistant Mark Harvey spoke to 3AW before the game.
He said he’s thrilled James Hird has been asked to present this year’s Norm Smith Medal.
“He’s still dealing with what’s transpired,” Harvey said.
“These are good signs and would help him in the short term.
“I congratulate the idea.”
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The Saints are coming!
St Kilda can put themselves two wins inside the eight with victory on Friday night, albeit having played one extra game.
But Essendon can’t afford many more defeats as their finals door closes.
With the Bombers needing this win as much as their opponents, every contest will be fought to the last.
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