Essendon started the second half with Matthew Leuenberger, Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett and Brendon Goddard in for the centre bounce.

The Bombers started the term with three repeat forward 50 entries, eventually culminating in a goal to Cale Hooker.

A five minute burst from the Pies saw the visitors kick three goals from just 12 kicks to take a one point lead.

The Dons stepped up their tackling pressure to respond with the next two goals.

The lead got out to 17 points, before the Pies got one back in the last two minutes of the third term.

At the final change, the margin was nine points in Essendon’s favour.

Orazio Fantasia took a contested mark two minutes into the last term.  He converted for his fourth goal of the game and when Josh Green kicked a goal two minutes later, the margin was 19 points.

Mark Baguley put his body on the line with a desperate effort in defence, resulting in another goal to Hooker from a contested mark in the goal square.

The margin was 26 points, but the Pies hit back straight away with a goal to Darcy Moore.

John Worsfold called for a lift in the Dons defensive pressure and it was best exemplified by a chase from Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.  He was rewarded with a free kick and from the resultant forward entry Joe Daniher kicked his third of the game to put the match beyond doubt.