Essendon have been left with a bitter aftertaste from Friday night's upset win over St Kilda, losing young key forward Scott Gumbleton for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old was shaken by a knock in the second quarter but played on in the second half only to be taken to hospital after the game with broken ribs and a punctured lung.

With just four rounds remaining it is unlikely that Gumbleton, who missed all of last year with a back injury, will return.

However there was better news for the Bombers with skipper Jobe Watson likely to be fit for next Friday night's game against Carlton despite hits to both shins.

Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said Gumbleton was certain to be out for "a number of weeks" but he could well miss the season.

"There's a reasonable chance of that," Hamilton said.

"Normally with these sort of things you're looking at three to four weeks.

"You'd think most likely the season but he might just get back there at the end.

"He has got broken ribs, he has a slightly punctured lung so it's a real concern.

"He spent a few hours in hospital and was released about 1.30am last night and spent the night back at home.

"He's in a little bit of pain but apart from that he's pretty good," Hamilton said.

"He got a knock to his ribcage early in the second quarter so he spent the rest of the quarter off.

"He did a lot of work at half-time to see whether he'd be okay and he felt fine and the doctors were happy with how he presented.

"He was terrifically courageous last night. He came back on the ground and put his hand up and wanted to keep playing.

"Not only did he play but he performed and we were really happy with what he did."

Gumbleton, who made his debut in 2007, suffered a bulging disc in his back in April last year which kept him out for the year.

He has played every game this season.

Meanwhile, young star Bachar Houli made an impressive return to the senior side after working hard on his game in the reserves.

Houli was among Essendon's best as they swamped St Kilda by 33 points at Etihad Stadium - their third straight victory over the Saints. He said the key to the win was the pressure Essendon applied.

"The whole focus this week was to win the contested footy and to win the tackle count," Houli said.

"It all comes down to dedication.

"There's a great quote from Brett Kirk of Sydney which Jobe Watson used, saying you don't have to be the best out there but you have to try the hardest out there.

"And that's the mentality we went in with yesterday and the week before, hence the results."

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