JAMES Hird returned from his coaching suspension to be stationed in a corrugated iron booth, Brendon Goddard watched on from the stands and few fans at the ground knew which Essendon player had the ball without a quick look at their AFL Record.

To say Saturday's NAB Challenge clash in Morwell was a little unusual wouldn't quite cut it.

The Bombers' makeshift pre-season line-up began its campaign against St Kilda with a 50-point loss, and although scrappy, defensively minded and largely uneventful, the contest will go down as one of the more remarkable in the modern game.

Ross injury 'serious' says Richardson, as Hird makes best of strange day

It was always going to be the case. Three weeks ago, most of the Bombers' 13 top-up players were strangers to each other – and the Essendon list.

But in front of nearly 6000 local fans and under dimmed lights, they began their unlikely stint as teammates. And although they lost – the Saints triumphing 0.15.11 (101) to 0.8.3 (51) – it was not a matter of effort.

Wearing jumper No.72, Clint Jones, playing against his old team, showed he could still find the ball, gathered 22 disposals and offered a hard body inside the contest. Marcus Marigliani, who played two games for the Bombers in 2010, also found 22.  

In defence, former Cat Mitch Brown competed well and offered a calm presence (he took 10 marks and had six rebound 50s), while ex-Demon James Magner was tough and hard when the ball was there to win.

They showed the Essendon coaching staff they were there to help the inexperienced and youth-filled squad, which had 21 of its 2012-listed players unavailable as the club awaits the verdict of the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal, which is expected later this month.

Another handful of recent recruits, including Goddard, Joe Daniher and Zach Merrett, were on hand to support in the crowd after not being selected.  

The Saints did what they needed in a game they had to win. After a tight first term they kicked four goals to one in the second quarter to open a lead, and from there they maintained it and held off the Bombers, who pressed in the third quarter.

Alan Richardson's developing side slammed on six goals to one in the final term to claim its first win after a narrow loss to the Brisbane Lions last week in Townsville.

It was the usual suspects rather than the new faces who shone in the defensive arm-wrestle. Jack Steven found his zip and had 22 disposals, including three centre clearances, while veteran midfielder Leigh Montagna led the way with 27.  

Stand-in captain Jarryn Geary was solid, and second-year midfielder Luke Dunstan was also able to have an influence in his first game of the season after missing last week with an ankle injury. Dunstan limped from the field with a leg complaint in the third but returned in the fourth term and helped set up a goal for his team.

The diagnosis was less positive for midfielder Seb Ross, who left the field in the third term appearing to have injured his hamstring.

He walked dejectedly from the ground to the interchange bench, continuing the club's recent spate of hamstring injuries, which have claimed Jack Billings and Farren Ray.

WHAT WE LEARNED
Essendon: It would have been hard for the Essendon coaching staff to find much of value out of the pre-season contest. But the club's enthusiasm in Jason Ashby was justified, with the half-back putting in a sound showing. Heading into his third AFL season, Ashby looked poised and in control across the backline and wing. So did Martin Gleeson, who managed to find 20 disposals. The pair both debuted under coach Mark Thompson last year, so would have given Hird some optimism. Jackson Merrett's decision to play in the NAB Challenge (despite being a 2012-listed player) also paid off as he picked up 27 disposals in a polished display through the midfield. Jonathan Giles, with three goals, also showed he will be able to move into the forward line as well as contribute in the ruck this year and help fill the void left by Paddy Ryder. 

St Kilda: The Saints will have been buoyed by a passage of play in the second term. Jack Steven won the ball and sprinted away, steadied and kicked a goal. In terms of the game it was relatively insignificant. But given Steven's battle with a persistent foot injury last year, it was encouraging to see him with his dash and speed at top level. The Saints will also know the inclusion of Nick Riewoldt in the home and away season will doubtless help Tim Membrey settle into the club's forward line. The former Sydney Swan got near a few opportunities against the Bombers without ever really grasping the

NEW FACES
Essendon: We'll stick with the actual listed Bombers here. First-round draft pick Kyle Langford has generated some excitement this year at Essendon and started deep in attack. He found space early on and was rewarded on the lead, but he sprayed his shot at goal. Father-son rookie Jake Long was lively and creative, and Irish recruit Conor McKenna will no doubt get his head more around the rules as his career unfolds. In the second quarter the Saints kicked a goal after McKenna gave away a free kick for running too far, and then two 50-metre penalties for not quite understanding the intricate elements of the rules.

St Kilda: Hugh Goddard played his first game for the Saints after being left out of last week's team, and started in defence against Bomber Shaun McKernan. Goddard, pick 21 at last year's NAB AFL Draft, used his body well and competed strongly. He also appeared comfortable pushing a little further up the ground and giving some rebound. No.1 pick Paddy McCartin had a quiet day but took a nice mark on the lead in the first term and converted his shot at goal. Rookie Jack Sinclair started as a substitute but came on to kick a goal, and Jack Lonie offered some spark in the forward line with 17 disposals and a goal.  

Tim Membrey and Jason Ashby go head-to-head in Morwell on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media

ESSENDON        0.2.2   0.3.2   0.7.2   0.8.3    (51)                  
ST KILDA           0.2.3   0.6.5   0.9.6   0.15.11    (101)          

SUPERGOALS
Essendon: Nil
St Kilda: Nil

GOALS
Essendon: Edwards 3, Giles 3, Ashby, Kavanagh
St Kilda: Bruce 2, Minchington 2, Steven, Shenton, Lonie, Ross, Acres, Membrey, Saad, Sinclair, Bruce, Holmes, McCartin

BEST 
Essendon: J.Merrett, Brown, Giles, Edwards, Jones, Ashby, Chapman
St Kilda: Montagna, Steven, Weller, Newnes, Lonie, Shenton, Geary

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
St Kilda: Seb Ross (hamstring), Luke Dunstan (knee)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Mitch Clisby replaced Sam Tagliabue in the third quarter; Aaron Heppell replaced Jordan Schroder in the third quarter.
St Kilda: Jack Sinclair replaced Sean Dempster in the third quarter; Tom Hickey replaced Jason Holmes in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 5542 at Morwell Recreation Reserve