The Western Bulldogs have bounced back from last Sunday's 52-point mauling by Carlton to hand the high-flying Essendon just its second loss of the season, 14.9 (93) to 7.9 (51), at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
With Tim English and Marcus Bontempelli dominating in the centre square, it was one-way traffic after quarter-time as Luke Beveridge's men kicked 11 goals to one in a span that stretched from late in the first quarter to early in the last.
Jack Macrae (29 touches), Lachie Hunter (26) and Tom Liberatore (22) also had big nights in the middle of the ground.
It was the Bulldogs' fourth win from five matches and puts them right back in the thick of the finals hunt.
On the back of dominating the Bombers – minus suspended midfielder Dylan Shiel – around the contest, the Dogs had the ball camped in their front half for much of the night.
They transferred the ball quickly and Mitch Wallis (three goals), Matt Suckling and debutant Cody Weightman (two each) were part of a diverse forward line that made the most of their chances.
For the Bombers it was a reality check for a team whose only previous loss was by a point to the Blues.
Essendon too often had to rely on its under-siege defensive unit to generate most of its run.
Andrew McGrath (24 disposals, six clearances) battled hard in the midfield for the Bombers and Jayden Laverde (two goals) gave them a handy target up forward in the first half.
ESSENDON 3.3 4.3 4.6 7.9 (51)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.1 6.4 11.7 14.9 (93)
GOALS
Essendon: Laverde 2, Hooker, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Smith, Snelling, Zaharakis
Western Bulldogs: Wallis 3, Suckling 2, Weightman 2, Bruce, Dale, English, Johannisen Lipinski, Richards, Vandermeer
BEST
Essendon: McGrath, Saad, Hurley, Parish
Western Bulldogs: English, Bontempelli, Liberatore, Macrae, Smith, Daniel
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
