All week, Essendon remembered what happened to them when they were on the verge of their perfect AFL season.

And they responded by beating St Kilda by two points on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, the 16.14 (110) to 16.12 (108) result ending the Saints' streak at 19 games and putting the Bombers back in the top eight.

Saints captain Nick Riewoldt had a shot on goal after the siren after taking a strong mark with seconds left but his kick went wide for a behind.

No side has gone through the regular season and finals without a loss.

Essendon were the last side to come so close to the perfect year, losing to the Western Bulldogs by 11 points in round 21 of the 2000 season at the same venue.

It was their only loss for the season.

"It's a little bit eerie, because in circles this week it was mentioned - as a coach you hear it, you look away and you hear it again," said Bombers coach Matthew Knights.

"You think well, football is a funny game and things can happen like that.

"St Kilda have been awesome - you realise that we got 'em, we did the right things, we played strong football.

"But I did hear it during the week a few times, that it might be history revisited, and thankfully it was."

After St Kilda kicked the first three goals of the game, the Bombers were relentless with their tackling and run.

Midfielder Jobe Watson played the game of his life and Essendon led by as much as 43 points midway through the third term, but injuries and tiredness wore them down.

Dustin Fletcher (hamstring), Brent Stanton (hamstring) and Patrick Ryder (knee) were all sidelined for the last term as the Saints kicked the last seven goals of the game.

The Bombers would have only had themselves to blame had they lost, with too many turnovers and defensive play in the final quarter, but Knights pointed out they simply ran out of run.

Still, it was an outstanding win by Essendon and gives them a great chance of their first finals appearance since 2004.

They have eighth spot by half a game over Port Adelaide, although Fletcher, Ryder and Stanton could all miss the last two regular season games against Fremantle (away) and Hawthorn at the MCG.

"It's a huge win for the club ... our resilience, the most pleasing part (was) when we went three (players) down at three-quarter time," Knights said.

Riewoldt had kicked a great goal after the half-time siren to keep his side in touch, but his game-deciding kick slewed off the side of his boot.

Knights said the kick, from 45m out, on a 45 degree angle and on the wrong side for a right-footer, was a "50-50" shot and "pretty tough".

Saints coach Ross Lyon described Riewoldt as a great leader, but admitted to mixed emotions when the kick missed.

"You never enjoy losing - I had a wry smile when 'Rooy' missed ... I just really felt that if he had kicked it, we would have really snatched victory," Lyon said.

"It's probably the right result in the context of how we played today.

"It's a super win for them, it's a sharp reminder of the preparation and intensity that's required ... it can turn the other way pretty quickly."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP