Saints on the march
The Saints won just four games last season, but already in 2015 they have five wins to their name. The 110-point victory over the Bombers was the Saints' biggest win of the year, and their biggest ever win over Essendon. The comprehensive performance showed just why St Kilda will be a force to be reckoned with in the next five years. It was a complete team performance with David Armitage leading the charge in the midfield with 37 disposals, seven clearances and two goals, while Jack Steven was equally influential with 29 touches, five clearances and 11 tackles. For the first time since round three, 2013 St Kilda kicked more than 20 goals through 13 different goal kickers. Key forwards Josh Bruce and Nick Riewoldt had nine goals between them but were ably assisted by the likes of Maverick Weller, Jack Sinclair and Leigh Montagna, who all had two a piece. 

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Bombers' scoring woes
Essendon's forwardline has struggled in season 2015, averaging just 73 points per game. The Bombers have scored over 100 points on just two occasions, against Carlton and the Lions. Last time the Dons and Saints met, Jake Carlisle kicked four goals but with the key Bomber out with an ankle injury it was key defender Cale Hooker who was sent into attack. Hooker had limited opportunities with the Bombers restricted to just 37 inside 50s, but still managed three goals and took eight marks and certainly didn't look out of place up forward. 

Milestone to forget
Jobe Watson's 200th game should have been a cause for celebration. The Essendon skipper has led his players off the field brilliantly in the face of great turmoil, as well as leading the charge on field. But his milestone game was sadly one to forget. Watson was started a full forward in the opening term. He spent some time in the midfield and was then sent forward again but could only manage just the one handball for the entire quarter. It didn't get any better for the Brownlow medallist for the remaining three quarters either. He finished the game with just one kick and six handballs and appeared flat for most of the game. One must wonder whether what has transpired over the last couple of years is finally taking a mental toll on a man who has been a terrific warrior for the Bombers.  

Dons out of sorts
The Bombers are in real trouble. What they have endured off the field in the last three years has been well documented but the loss to the Saints, their fifth defeat in a row, was a new low for James Hird and his men. The Bombers were listless and lacked endeavor against the Saints and were outplayed in every facet of the game. Alarmingly, the Bombers allowed the Saints to rack up 93 uncontested possessions in the third term, with Essendon's pressure also non-existent. They face Melbourne next week at the MCG and are in serious danger of slipping further down the ladder. 

5. Bomber in trouble
Defender Mark Baguley will likely come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel after an incident off the ball involving young Saint Jack Lonie in the second term. As Lonie ran passed, Baguley delivered a cheap shot, whacking the Saints youngster with a right hook in the upper chest. With Lonie on his haunches, his teammates remonstrated with Baguley, who could escape with just a fine. But it was the Saints small forward who had the best reply. Six minutes later, hard up against the boundary line Lonie dribbled a brilliant left foot goal that could very well be a contender for goal of the year.