Gregg Easterbrook is a brilliant writer who pens a weekly NFL column for ESPN, called Tuesday Morning Quarterback.

One of the constant themes in Easterbrook's writing, drawing on specific pieces of play and with statistics to back his claims, is that the output of many NFL players is dictated by their contractual status.

According to Easterbrook, many in the NFL play their best when they're looking for new contracts. Conversely, many players 'mail it in' once their new deals are signed, sealed and delivered.

Based on that theory, Essendon were good things to beat St Kilda on Friday night once the Saints breathlessly announced earlier this week that 14 players had signed new deals to remain with the club.

How else do you explain this result? Essendon has been terrible for the best part of six week. Coach Matthew Knights appeared to get ahead of himself this week, exulting in the glory of a three-point win over fellow battler North Melbourne.

But a 33-point belting of St Kilda? Few saw this coming, even though the Bombers had won their last two against the Saints.

The result again leaves us wondering what's up with the Saints.They're in a rut, with two losses and a lucky draw from their last three outings. Essendon's chief weapon is its pace and questions will again be asked whether the Saints can cut it against teams that like to move the ball quickly.

Opposition sides are putting much work into making St Kilda's attacking defenders more accountable. Collingwood, Hawthorn and the Bombers have put time and care into their match-ups for Sam Fisher and Sam Gilbert, the architects of the St Kilda back six, and with much success.

Perhaps it's the hex of Robert Walls once again. After Walls predicted a top four finish for Carlton back in June, they lost four of their next five. In Friday's Age, Walls said the Saints only needed to find a couple of extra goals per match and they were the flag favourites. Back to the drawing board for them and for you, Wallsy.

What was demonstrated on Friday night is how important David Hille is for the Bombers. They lost six of seven while he was nursing a hamstring injury, but his return to the ruck frees Paddy Ryder to push forward and for Michael Hurley to play the swingman. On Friday night, it was in the backline and he did really well. If Ryder can play primarily as a forward, the Dons only need one of Scott Gumbleton or Jay Neagle to stand up and they have the potent forward line to cap off the work of their attacking midfield.

The Channel Seven boys did the maths as Friday night's match wound down in the last few minutes and said that if the Dons run the table from here, that they'll have 11 wins and a likely finals berth. True enough. But with Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs still to come, this late push for the finals is unlikely to bear fruit.

Seven rolled the dice with its Friday night schedule this year, with three consecutive late-season Essendon fixtures. If nothing else, the next fortnight against Carlton and Collingwood will mean packed houses at the MCG and bumper ratings.

All good for football, we say.