Round 17 – Essendon v St Kilda: Bombers crash landing overlooked by Saints!

Round 17
Essendon v St Kilda
5 July 2026
Marvel Stadium

 

In my nearly seventy years of supporting Essendon their performance against St Kilda must rank as one of the worst, most insipid, and passionless efforts I have seen. Very disappointing indeed! Even my four year old grandson  decided not to come with his mum to watch the Bombers this week, he’s decided to cross to his dad’s team, Carlton – they are winning! I should have been aware of his beginning shift of allegiance during our visit to Melbourne last week when he was dressed in his Bomber jumper but had Carlton shorts on. It will be hard to win him back when the Bombers continue to play the way they did! 

 

The Bombers were like a sinking boat with a hundred holes rapidly descending to the bottom with only twenty-five plugs to block the holes. Whatever was tried, failed!

 

With many Essendon players fighting for their careers one would have expected some fight and intensity reflected in their endeavours, making a statement, ‘Hey, I want to be here next year!’ Sadly it was not to be.

 

I went to the game confident the Bombers could provide an upset against a middle of the road team. If the team had any pride in themselves they needed to display that on the field, and after too many losses this match was a good opportunity to redeem themselves. But, as has been the case so many times before, they were not up to it and were wiped off the board once again.

 

St Kilda were very good – they simply ran the Bombers off their feet, were first to the ball, and used it effectively.

 

I can see why Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is such a highly rated player. He was superb. Silky smooth skills, effortless use of the ball, and always to advantage. I wondered to myself who is our NWM, and clearly we have  no-one anywhere near his ability. It was a delight watching him play.

 

Brad Hill is a running machine – here, there, and everywhere. One of the advantages of being at the actual game is the whole ground is in view rather than a focussed  TV camera shot, and you notice the build up behind the scenes as moves take place or are set up. Ever time I looked up Brad Hill was in a different part of the ground. He just kept on running to a position of advantage, Hill carved the Bombers up.

 

Essendon’s horror day is perhaps best summed up by Mason Redmond’s shocking mis-kick to hand the Saints the easiest of goals. A shocker, indeed!

 

I cannot say much of a positive nature about the Bombers at the moment but  obviously a big pre-season developing bodies in the gym, working on speed, stamina  and fitness will be essential if any progress is to be made. We appear to be miles behind other clubs with our player development.

 

Brisbane next week at the ‘Gabba will be tough!

 

Go Bombers!

 

My Malarkey Votes

3. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

2. Brad Hill

1. Max Hall

 

ESSENDON     2.1     3.3    4.5      7.8 (50)
ST KILDA     5.4     13.8   14.10    17.15 (117)

 

GOALS
Essendon: Caddy 3, Wright, Day-Wicks, McKay, Robey
St Kilda: Higgins 2, Ryan 2, Caminiti 2, Wilson 2, Marshall 2, Hall, Sharman, Henry, Wanganeen-Milera, Hill, Garcia, Owens

 

BEST
Essendon: Durham, Merrett, Caddy, Robey, Farrow
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Hill, Hall, Marshall, Wilson

 

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
St Kilda: Nil

 

Crowd: 34,713 at Marvel Stadium

 

 

More Round 17 match results and reports can be read Here.

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

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