The Bombers have put in a disappointing performance at the MCG on Friday night to go down to an inspired Melbourne by 33 points.
Melbourne, stung by accusationsit plays ""bruise-free footy"", played hard-fought football in comparison to a under-performed Bombers' side, sealing victory 15.11 (101) to 10.8 (68).
Comprehensivelyknocked down in a sub-standard performance against the Blues the previous week,the Dees got back up to open in spirited fashion against the Bombers.
Excessivehandballing cost Melbourne in the first half, as they struggled to clear Essendon'sforward press and went into the main break seven points down.
Dean Bailey's team climbed back, handballing less, running harder and tackling withvigour as they turned the half-time deficit into a five-goal three-quarter-timelead in a stunning 30 minutes of football.
Asmuch as hard-bodied, experienced midfielders Brent Moloney and Nathan Joneswere crucial, so too were the fleet of talented youngsters.
JordieMcKenzie (28 disposals, seven clearances, 13 tackles) had a night out, JordanGysberts (30 disposals, four tackles, four clearances) was impressive, and Tom Scully (24 disposals, six tackles, sixclearances) put in a big effort with his endurance in his return from a kneeinjury.
Down back, Jared Rivers led a hard defence – which didn't allow one Essendongoal from 14 Essendon inside 50s in the third quarter – and young ruckmanStefan Martin (20 disposals, 15 hitouts) again stood up in the absence of 2010All Australian Mark Jamar.
Essendon though was not withoutsome fight of its own.
With the club's leading 2011goal-kicker Stewart Crameri well held by Joel McDonald and gun big man MichaelHurley out injured, the Bombers struggled to find a forward target all evening.
Paddy Ryder, playing as the lonekey forward in Hurley's absence, booted two second-quarter goals in an otherwisequiet game to be the team's only multiple goal-kicker.
While Melbourne’s blitz in thethird quarter looked to have decided the match, Essendon suddenly found someroom inside 50 in a 15-minute burst to start the last term, and the Bombers slottedthree quick goals through David Hille, Angus Monfries and David Zaharakis.
Had Crameri then converted one oftwo comfortable chances in quick succession, the Bombers would have been withintwo straight kicks and roaring home with the red and black army at their backs.
But the Demons buckled down and turned the game around.
Skipper Brad Green kicked his fourth goal of the night with anopportunistic soccer-style hack out of mid-air, and the Bombers' charge washalted.
Green's four majors made him the game's leading goal-kicker, while livewireforward Liam Jurrah booted three to have the better of his duel with Essendonveteran Dustin Fletcher.
Sam Lonerganworked tirelessly all game in skipper Jobe Watson's hard-felt absence.
He picked up 29 disposals,including six clearances to be his team's best.
Jake Melksham played three outstandingquarters in gathering 25 possessions, but only two of those came in the thirdquarter when Melbourne took control.
Melbourne 3.0 5.4 11.6 15.11 (101)
Essendon 3.2 6.5 6.6 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Melbourne: Green 4, Jurrah 3, Jetta2, Moloney 2, Sylvia, Watts, Scully, Howe
Essendon: Ryder 2, Melksham, Stanton, Hardingham, Howlett, Hille, Monfries,Zaharakis, Crameri
BEST
Melbourne: McKenzie, Jones, Scully,Martin, Green, Gysberts
Essendon: Melksham, Lonergan, Heppell, Hibberd, Stanton
INJURIES
Melbourne: Sylvia (corked rightquad)
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Colin Sylvia replaced byDaniel Nicholson in the second quarter.
Essendon: Tom Bellchambers replacedby Alex Browne in the third quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Rosebury, Mollison
Official crowd: 53,077 at the MCG.
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