Robert Shaw says it was the contribution across the entire team that helped deliver the Bombers strong performance against St Kilda.

Essendon went down by 11 points, after taking the lead midway through the final term.

With injuries and suspensions to key players, the Dons fielded a side featuring just eight players with more than 50 games experience. St Kilda’s selected side had 441 more games under its belt.

Shaw said it was the ability of the Bombers young group to step up, in combination with the older players strong contributions that led to the performance.

“The influx of the young players and the roles they were give was significant,” Shaw said.

“You’re never going to be let down by young players, they might make mistakes and they might not be quite ready but what Essendon had yesterday was the capacity to run the game out.

“On the other side of it, the balance of the input from the older players – Goddard, Cooney and Kelly – was very good.

“It’s very important that those boys (older players) guide these young blokes through.”

Brendon Goddard (28 possessions), Adam Cooney (28) and James Kelly (21) continued their strong seasons and helped the Bombers win their share of the ball in the middle of the ground.

Zach Merrett was also instrumental finishing the game with 36 possessions, five tackles, seven inside 50’s and seven clearances.

“I thought he was our best player. I thought he led from the front,” Shaw said.

“Obviously without Zaharakis the focus came on him – he responded, he lifted, he absorbed a lot of pressure and he was a constant player throughout the game.

“I thought he was outstanding.”

Shaw said the Essendon coaching group’s decision to try players in different roles throughout the season would benefit the team in the long term.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was one of the beneficiaries against the Saints.

He was moved into the forward line where he booted two goals and had four goal assists.

“I really like that move. It was creative, that’s where he started (playing forward) when he first came (to the Club) so he knows how to do it,” Shaw said.

“Langford in the middle was very good.

“Fantasia, his combination with McDonald-Tipungwuti was very exciting. Essendon people are crying out for crumbing forwards, well there is two there that could be exciting.

“They’ve also got flexibility now – Walla can go back, Fantasia can go into the middle, McKenna can go forward, Laverde and Langford can go through the middle.

“I think we got a lot out of that game, so hopefully it continues next week into a very winnable game against Richmond.”