Melbourne has survived a late scare from Essendon to register a 19-point win at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

After leading by 27 points at the final break against Essendon, the Demons allowed the Bombers to get within seven points in the dying stages. 

On the back of Joe Daniher's move to the ruck and two last-quarter goals from James Stewart, the Bombers threatened to steal victory in John Worsfold's final game in charge. 

Demon Christian Petracca then avoided a crucial holding the ball decision, before the Demons kicked two quick goals through Bayley Fritsch to clinch the 10.8 (68) to 7.7 (49) win at Metricon Stadium. 

Despite trailing at the first break off the back of an inaccurate opening, the Demons had the game all but buried at half-time after an unanswered five-goal second quarter. 

Melbourne generated four of its first six goals from the defensive half, prompting Bombers coach-in-waiting Ben Rutten to question his side's workrate at the main break. 

With Max Gawn delivering silver service to Petracca, Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver, the Demons won the centre clearances 6-1 in the first half before both sides kicked 1.1 in a dour third term. 

The Bombers threw the magnets around in the final term, and with Dylan Shiel and Zach Merrett's presence through the midfield, recorded 16 more contested possessions. 

Worsfold, along with retiring Bombers ruckman Tom Bellchambers who didn't play, was given a guard of honour from both sides as the teams left the field.

ESSENDON                  2.0       2.2       3.3       7.7 (49)
MELBOURNE              1.4       6.6       7.7       10.8 (68)

GOALS

Essendon: Stewart 3, Laverde, Stringer, Smith, Shiel

Melbourne: Hunt 4, Fritsch 3, Neal-Bullen 2, Petracca

BEST

Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Shiel, Langford, Stewart, Saad

Melbourne: Petracca, Gawn, Oliver, Viney, Fritsch, May

INJURIES

Essendon: Nil

Melbourne: Nil