A run of six unanswered third-quarter goals has helped Essendon VFL to a 35-point win over Collingwood at Windy Hill on Saturday afternoon.

Lining up on a cold, wet Melbourne afternoon, the first quarter was a scrappy affair mostly played in the Pies' forward half, with the Bombers unable to generate their usual run-and-carry while Collingwood struggled to capitalise on their early territory wins.

With players on both sides acclimatising to the slippery conditions, the game opened up in the second term with four goals apiece and plenty of physicality, tensions even boiling over on the verge of half-time as the contest was in the balance.

Responding after the break, the Bombers blitzed Collingwood with an attack-heavy third term, frequently scoring through handball chains originating in their defensive 50. At one stage, a one-on-one win from Solomon McKay in the back half began a link of 11 handballs down the ground with a Jared Eckersley goal to finish, one of the best pieces of team play seen in the competition this year.

15:00

VFL Rd 14 | Mini-Match

Extended highlights of the Bombers and Magpies clash in round 14

Aided by a five-goal effort from Jack Jedwab on his birthday and three majors from Eckersley, the Dons looked efficient going forward for much of the second half and held firm defensively in the final term to round out a strong performance in tricky conditions.

Elijah Tsatas (38 touches, 11 clearances) and Dylan Shiel (33 touches, six tackles) proved a dynamic pairing in the middle, with Tsatas' clean hands in congestion a particular standout from the day.

Nick Bryan was back to his best with 26 disposals, 46 hit-outs, 12 clearances and a goal, frequently taking the ball straight out of the ruck and gaining necessary yardage for the Dons in the wet, while Luamon Lual (18 touches) produced one of his strongest outings for the year in defence, growing in confidence with his one-on-one ability.

The Bombers will look to continue their form against Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium next Saturday.

ESSENDON     1.1     5.7     11.11    14.14   (98)
COLLINGWOOD      1.3     5.5     6.6     9.9  (63)

GOALS
Jedwab 5, Eckersley 3, Smartt, Roberts, O'Neill, Nyko, J. Davey, Bryan

BEST
Bryan, Shiel, Tsatas, Eckersley, Jedwab, Foley, Hoare