While St Kilda have two wheels perched over the AFL cliff, Essendon's return from the pits continues at warp speed.

The Bombers' 52-point victory over the Saints at Etihad Stadium on Sunday confirmed their rebuilding under new coach James Hird is not only on the right track, it's on fast-track.

Essendon's hype meter has been slowly rising after Hird's off-season ascent to head coach.

Consider it off the scale now after hammering the Saints 21.10 (136) to 12.12 (84).

In the space of five weeks, the Bombers have played in a pre-season cup final, and posted 50-point plus wins over two of last season's top four.

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson was magnificent with three goals and 33 possessions.

The Bombers bounced back from a gut-wrenching last-gasp loss to Sydney last week in the best way possible, booting the opening three goals.

That aspect alone thrilled Hird.

The margin and manner of the win were just added, surprise bonuses for the rookie coach.

"It surprised us all really. Bouncing back after that loss to Sydney, you never know with a young group what's going to happen," Hird said.

"Surprised, yes, that we're able to win by that amount.

"You just see guys learning each week, and the most pleasing part of tonight there were some things we didn't do in Sydney we wanted to improve on and we did that early."

With Watson kicking two goals in the first term and dominating the clearances, Essendon got the better of a free-flowing 13-goal quarter to lead by 17 points at quarter-time.

Most expected the Saints to rebound in the second.

Instead the Bombers shifted gears, booting five goals to two to put the game beyond doubt just before halftime.

After Saint Brendon Goddard missed a free-kick from 15 metres out directly in front, the ball went down the other end for Angus Monfries to bump off Jason Gram and goal, giving the Bombers a 34-point lead as the long break approached.

It got uglier for the Saints in the third term. The Bombers kicked six goals to one - Jason Winderlich booting three of them and Watson his third.

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt booted three goals in his 200th game.

And the only real fight his side showed came in a final quarter melee, in which Riewoldt and Essendon opponent Cale Hooker were heavily involved.

St Kilda are now winless, with just a draw from three matches.

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