Daniher stars as Bombers thrash AFL Saints
Jul 14, 2017 - 1:38 PM Essendon have taken a sledgehammer to St Kilda's top-four aspirations, thrashing the Saints by 61 points at Etihad Stadium.Spearhead Joe Daniher was the chief destroyer, slotting four goals and taking a mark-of-the-year contender as the Bombers ran out 17.16 (118) to 7.15 (57) victors on Friday night.
Both sides were scrappy and inaccurate in front of goal but it will matter little to the Bombers, who climb to ninth and remain a huge chance to book their spot in the finals.
Victory would have propelled the Saints into the AFL's top four, but instead they could fall out of the eight depending on the outcome of the weekend's remaining games.
Alan Richardson's men looked unstoppable during their 67-point demolition of Richmond last week, but any hopes they could maintain that momentum were quickly dashed.
The Saints were held to a goalless first quarter - their first for the season - and only managed two majors to halftime, having piled on 14 in the first half against the Tigers.
"If you don't turn up with enormous energy and the willingness to defend, and willingness to work, then you're going to get embarrassed," Richardson said.
"We couldn't stop them. We were a fair way off it."
Daniher's huge mark on the back of Jake Carlisle minutes into the first quarter set the tone for what proved to be a one-way contest.
The gun key forward followed up his initial effort with another screamer on Carlisle in the third term, finishing the game ahead of Sydney's Lance Franklin for first place in the Coleman Medal count.
Bombers key defender Michael Hurley continued his outstanding season with 27 disposals and nine marks, while David Zaharakis, Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell reigned supreme in the midfield.
Coach John Worsfold said his side would be put to the test in coming weeks.
"There's a massive amount of work to do," he said.
"There's a bottleneck of clubs fighting for wins, and we're going to play a lot of those clubs over the next few weeks."
Nick Riewoldt, Seb Ross and Koby Stevens were all down on their best for St Kilda.
Defender Sam Gilbert succumbed to a finger injury in the fourth quarter, while Essendon's Josh Green (calf tightness) was also wrapped in cotton wool late in the game.
Source: AAP
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