SUMMARY
St Kilda is coming off a 103-point smashing against West Coast and will be want to respond with a strong effort against Essendon. The Saints have been competitive in most of their games this season and coach Alan Richardson said he was surprised at the lacklustre performance. Essendon showed plenty of fight in the second half of its match against North Melbourne and won't be an easy beat. A point of particular interest is how St Kilda can be exposed defensively with the Saints having conceded the fourth-most points heading into round nine. Meanwhile, Essendon is ranked last for points scored. A lack of options in the Bombers' forward 50 means Joe Daniher is often the focus in attack, so if he can dominate, the Bombers are a real chance to win.
David Zaharakis was well held last week by Ben Jacobs. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, May 22, 4.40pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TEAMS
R14, 2015, St Kilda 25.11 (162) d Essendon 8.4 (52) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2015, Essendon 11.16 (82) d St Kilda 11.14 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2014, St Kilda 11.15 (81) d Essendon 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2013, Essendon 19.14 (128) d St Kilda 13.13 (91) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2012, St Kilda 21.7 (133) d Essendon 8.14 (62) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Saints kicked their highest score and recorded their biggest winning margin against Essendon the last time the two teams met. St Kilda won disposals (445-304), marks (142-71) and inside-50s (60-37).
2. Last week against West Coast, St Kilda kicked 3.11 (29) – its lowest score since round six, 2002.
3. St Kilda and Essendon meet for the 211th time. The Bombers hold a hefty advantage, winning 140-66, with four draws. Since 2010, it's 5-3 in Essendon's favour.
4. The Bombers are the lowest-scoring side in 2016, averaging only 59 points. In three of their last four games, they have kicked two goals or fewer in the first half.
5. Both sides are high disposal teams. Essendon is ranked second, averaging 400 per game, and St Kilda is fourth, with 393.6 per game.
6. Of those not suspended, former Saint Brendon Goddard is No.1 at Essendon in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. He is ranked No. 67 overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
David Zaharakis. The midfielder is having an excellent season but was limited to 12 disposals by North Melbourne's Ben Jacobs last week. He will be keen to bounce back with a big game.
PREDICTION: St Kilda by 32 points.
