Andrew Wu at Telstra Dome
St Kilda has crushed an undermanned Essendon by 108 points at Telstra Dome on Sunday night to pinch fourth spot from Adelaide.
In one of the most nerve-wracking 108-point matches ever, the Saints' 21.21 (147) to 5.9 (39) victory lifted their percentage from 105.04 to 110.56, 0.82 higher than the Crows' 109.74, which had seemed impregnable to the Saints on Saturday night.
But so uncompetitive was Essendon, which was farewelling Jason Johnson, Adam Ramanauskas, Damien Peverill and Mal Michael, that the Saints overhauled Adelaide with something left to spare.
The reward for the Saints was the double chance, which they are likely to have to call upon as their opponent next week will be the all-conquering Geelong.
Had they not won so heavily, the Saints would have been consigned to a cut-throat first-up final against Collingwood, a side which lifted its play considerably last September.
It seemed that for much of the game the Saints would come tantalisingly close to stealing fourth place but that did not take into consideration a pathetic performance from the Bombers.
After a bright opening few minutes, the Bombers were hopelessly outclassed by a St Kilda side, led by a seven-goal haul from Steven Milne and four from skipper Nick Riewoldt, hell-bent on marching into September in style.
From quarter time onwards, the Dons managed just three goals to the Saints' 16. In fact, the 108-point margin should have been far greater if not for some inaccurate kicking from the Saints.
The Saints did not overhaul the Crows' percentage until late in the final term then faced a nervous few minutes when they had to ensure the Bombers would not score, a task which they were more than up to.
The Saints entered this match in eighth position and a loss would have left them with a must-win final in Sydney, but a win in excess of 15 goals would have seen them leapfrog above Adelaide into fourth position.
The Saints had overcome the first of their two obstacles by late in the second quarter when they led by seven goals but jumping the final hurdle proved a more difficult proposition, at least until the final term.
They got a wriggle on in the third term but after slowing down play leaked two late goals which could have been disastrous to their cause.
But the last quarter was all St Kilda. The Dons could not generate any meaningful string of possessions and were largely reduced to the role of witches hats.
The Saints ran in waves and seemed to find space at will for their forwards to lead into.
Their cause was helped by a marvellous small forward's game by the re-born Milne.
He and Riewoldt proved an unstoppable force for the Bombers defence.
The loss marked the end to the careers of Michael, Johnson, Ramanauskas and possibly Peverill, who all completed a lap of honour following the drubbing.
For the Saints, their season has just begun.
ESSENDON: 2.3, 2.6, 5.8, 5.9 (39)
ST KILDA: 5.5, 8.12, 14.15, 21.21 (147)
GOALS: Essendon: Johnson, Lloyd, Magin, Ryder, Watson
St Kilda: Milne 7, Riewoldt 4, Gram 3, Schneider 2, Eddy, C. Gardiner, Goddard, King, Montagna
BEST: Essendon: Lonergan, Dyson, Ramanauskas, Watson
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Milne, Montagna, Hayes, Goddard, Gram
INJURIES: Essendon: Monfries (hamstring)
St Kilda: Dempster (ACL)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: M.Nicholls, Head, Keating
CROWD: 46,161 at Telstra Dome
Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. N.Riewoldt (St Kilda)
2. S.Milne (St Kilda)
1. L.Montagna (St Kilda)