Unrelenting, full-ground team pressure was the order of the day for St Kilda as they saw off the Bombers under the roof at Marvel Stadium. 

But as well as the intensity of the swarming Saints, their stirring underdog win was punctuated by some brilliant individual performances.

1. THE GRESH PRINCE

Oozing class isn’t something new for Jade Gresham, but tonight, it was on centre stage. 

An extended stint in the midfield saw Gresham put together one of his most complete performances to date; his 25 disposals just one short of career-best figures. 

The 22-year-old was impressive all evening, lining up for 13 of the Saints’ 23 centre bounces as well as notching up five clearances, five inside 50s and gaining a team-high 505m for his side.  

But it was his reliance up forward and knack for kicking goals at the right time which was most crucial, with his two classy goals – inclusive of the sealer – integral to the Saints’ victory. 

2. BAROOSE, YOU BEAUTY! 

Last week’s match-saving mark deep in defence was a reminder of Josh Bruce’s impressive aerial abilities, but he may have just done one better against the Bombers. 

Rising above Michael Hurley at full stretch and holding onto the footy for dear life, Bruce’s grab was met with an almighty roar and a customary ‘Baroose’ after he duly converted to extend the Saints’ lead. 

The 27-year-old’s stellar post-injury form was evident right from the get-go, with the powerful forward combining crunching tackles and strong marks with surprising finesse; his evasiveness amid traffic ultimately putting the Saints’ first major on the board. 

Bruce finished the evening with two goals, 15 disposals, four tackles and his incredible hangar to be among the best for the red, white and black.

@joshuabruce hit the roof!

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3. THE PRESSURE COOKER WAS ON… 

Pressure was a hallmark of St Kilda’s game, but last year, not so much. 

Last night’s efforts hearkened back to the Saints’ form of old, with Essendon well and truly under the pump throughout the first half. 

Jack Steele encapsulated the Saints’ pressure best, accumulating 23 individual pressure acts and seven tackles to go alongside his 23 touches in what was yet another characteristic display. 

Incoming ruckman Rowan Marshall followed suit with eight tackles of his own, while Jack Sinclair topped the tally with nine. 

St Kilda ultimately won the tackle count for the evening 66-75. 

4. …BUT MISSES LET OUT SOME STEAM 

St Kilda’s goalkicking was well documented last season, with errant goalkicking often a key contributor to the Saints falling short. 

Their 22-point lead at half-time following a pressurised start to the game could have been far more commanding however, with an inaccurate 7.9 (51) scorecard at the main break preventing them from truly burying the Bombers. 

It kept the door ajar for Essendon, who regrouped in the second half to cut the margin back to a frightening eight points on two separate occasions. 

Despite only adding a further three goals to their tally opposed to Essendon’s five, Alan Richardson’s men fought through to continue their unbeaten start to the year.  

It will however be something the Saints will need to address before taking on the Dockers next week.

 

5. MARSHALL DELIVERS 

Hats off to Rowan Marshall. 

His opponent in Tom Bellchambers was 101 games his senior, but the youngster performed admirably in his first game of the year to be among one of the Saints’ most important players. 

While he may have lost the hit-out count against the far more experienced Bellchambers 21-41, Marshall’s mobility and enduring run were defining traits which saw him gain an edge against his opponent. 

The 23-year-old finished with an impressive 15 disposals (13 contested), five marks, eight tackles and a game-high seven clearances, with his influence across the ground often the starting point for the Saints’ successes over the course of the night.