ESSENDON has won back-to-back matches for the first time this season after defeating Richmond by 35 points in the sixth Dreamtime at the 'G clash on Saturday night.

The Dons won 19.16 (130) to 14.11 (95) to improve their season record to 4-5 and keep their finals hopes flickering.

Bomber fans were in dreamland early, as their side rattled up seven goals without reply in a 15-minute period in the first quarter.

When Jake Melksham became the side's seventh goalscorer at the 20-minute mark, the Dons had a 41-point lead, and serious embarrassment looked on the cards for Richmond - backing up from its most impressive performance of the year in a three-point defeat to Hawthorn last Sunday.

To the Tigers' credit, they hit back with four unanswered goals of their own - two to Jack Riewoldt, who equalled his career best with six for the match. Although never threatening an unlikely comeback, they at least managed the consolation of matching Essendon on the scoreboard for the remainder of the night.

After kicking four goals in the upset win over St Kilda last Sunday evening, Essendon big man David Hille backed up his fine form up forward and in the ruck.

He finished with three goals - one a sensational checkside kick in the third quarter - plus 26 disposals and 23 hit outs, deservedly taking the Yiooken award for best on ground.

Jobe Watson (28 disposals), Brent Prismall (five inside 50s and five rebounds) and Leroy Jetta (six scoring assists) were also among Essendon's best.

For the Tigers, Shane Tuck had a game-high 30 touches and Trent Cotchin had 19 contested possessions.

Essendon     7.1    10.6    14.13    19.16 (130)
Richmond    2.4    5.7      8.8        14.11 (95)

GOALS
Essendon: Hille 3, Jetta 2, Ryder 2, Zaharakis 2, Davey, Gumbleton, Howlett, Hurley, McVeigh, Lonergan, Melksham, Monfries, Myers, Stanton
Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Rance 2, Astbury, Edwards, Martin, Nahas, Nason, Tuck

BEST
Essendon: Hille, Prismall, Watson, Jetta, Ryder, Winderlich, Howlett, Myers
Richmond: Riewoldt, Cotchin, Tuck, Martin, Deledio, Graham

Injuries: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rosebury, Stewart, Armstrong

Official crowd: 64,709 at MCG

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.