A seven-goal haul from Nik Cox propelled Essendon VFL to a 53-point smashing of Coburg at Windy Hill on Sunday.
The standalone Lions were competitive throughout the first half but the Bombers were quick to pounce on the away side's inaccuracy and constantly pushed away to cruise to a comfortable win.
Cox was a towering presence and goaled from long-range in the opening seconds to set up easily his best day of the season. He added to his work by taking a hanger on the wing later in the first term and clunking multiple contested marks around the arc.
He was equally adept at ground level, slotting a couple of his goals from crumbing efforts and calmly providing an assist for Liam McMahon at point blank.
The midfield trio of Darcy Parish, Will Setterfield and Elijah Tsatas were outstanding as a collective - Tsatas hit the scoreboard twice in quality fashion, while Setterfield and Parish racked up 10 and nine tackles respectively.
Tyler Sellers held up well alongside Ben McKay back in defence, while Saad El-Hawli generated a heap of run and carry along the wings.
Zak Johnson looked composed in his second game back from injury, accumulating 30 possessions from deep in defence and laying six tackles.
The Dons look to back it up against Box Hill this Saturday morning, a clash that could be crucial in the race for a finals spot.
ESSENDON 4.3 8.5 13.8 17.11 (113)
COBURG 1.7 4.9 7.11 8.12 (60)
GOALS
Cox 7, Tsatas 2, Guelfi 2, Setterfield, O'Neill, Nguyen, McMahon, Gresham, Dowling
BEST
Cox, Setterfield, Tsatas, Parish, El-Hawli, Johnson
