Bombers v Saints - snippets

TURNING POINT: It all fell apart for the Bombers after the 21-minute mark of the first term. From that point on, the Saints slammed on 17 goals to Essendon's three in one of the most one-sided matches of the year.

STAR MAN: Nick Riewoldt engineered St Kilda's victory. Too strong and fast for Nathan Lovett-Murray, Riewoldt kicked two of his four goals in the first term to put the Saints in a position where they could aim to snatch fourth from Adelaide. He finished with 4.5, 21 touches and 11 marks.

ABSOLUTE SHOCKER: There was hardly a redeeming feature about Paddy Ryder's missed goal from 20 metres out in the first quarter. His kick was touched because he went too close to the man on the mark. The goal umpire deemed it full points but then crossed his flags after being told by a boundary umpire the ball had clipped Sam Fisher, who was standing the mark. To rub salt into the wounds, the Saints hurried the ball up the other end for a major themselves.

UNSUNG HERO: Adam Ramanauskas, Jason Johnson and Damien Peverill could all bow out with their heads held high. The trio had 23, 22 and 20 touches respectively as the curtain draws nearer a close on a chapter of Essendon's history. Only Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas and Dustin Fletcher still remain at Windy Hill from the clubs 2000 premiership success.