Practice Match Reality Check: Saints Expose the Gaps | First Thoughts (Public Episode)

Our unbeaten pre-season run is over.

In our final hit-out before Round 1, Essendon went down to St Kilda in Ballarat and this one gave us a much clearer picture of where the side is really at.

Normally, First Thoughts is exclusive to our Patreon community. But as promised for pre-season, we’re releasing this one publicly.

In this episode we cover:

❌ The Concerns

• A passive midfield beaten at centre bounce (9–18 clearances)

• Poor use of the spare at stoppage

• Zach Merrett behind the ball – lesson learned?

• An eight-minute third-quarter lapse that broke the game open

✅ The Positives

• Aggressive forward-half press returns (six forward-half turnovers in the first half)

• Dyson Sharp’s composure, strength and score involvements

• Lachie Blackiston’s competitiveness against Marshall & De Koning

• Zach Johnson’s most complete game yet

• Signs the structure is holding up - outside of one costly burst

The margin ended up seven goals, but the game was within seven points late in the third quarter before St Kilda capitalised on centre bounce dominance and 6-6-6 momentum.

Plenty to tidy up. Plenty to like.

We break it down. High level, immediate reaction, no overreactions.

Full review and season preview coming Thursday.