There are not many sweeter ways to spend a well-earned 50^th game than a dominant 43-point victory over a flag contender to keep your season alive.

That’s what Essendon’s Mitch Brown did in the side’s blistering win over Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, and it was a just reward for a decade of effort.

Selected by Geelong with the 15^th overall pick in the 2008 National Draft, Brown’s career never got going at the Cattery, but Essendon saw plenty of value in the versatile tall.

Brown took the field 21 times in his first season as a Bomber, immediately eclipsing his 15 total games for Geelong. And while he couldn’t maintain a regular spot in the stronger side last season, he wasn’t going to let it hold him back.

Lining up in the forward line since his return to the senior side in round 12, Brown has been a revelation for the team, booting 12 goals from seven games and providing endless options for his teammates.

“(I’m) pretty proud, it’s been a long ten years, so it’s been a long time since I was drafted,” Brown said after the win.

“I’ve had a few injuries along the way, but I finally got here and I loved it.

“Three years ago I probably thought I wouldn’t get there. I was stuck on 15 games for a bit, but I’m loving it.”

And he didn’t let anyone down in the brilliant victory, gathering 14 disposals, eight marks and two goals including a long-range bomb to snatch the lead and give the team a huge boost after the half-time siren.

“That was massive for our momentum into the second half,” he said.

After losing key forward Shaun McKernan to a season-ending hamstring injury last week, Brown’s role became even more crucial on Friday in the continued absence of star forward Joe Daniher, and he was thrilled with the way the forwards covered the loss.

“Obviously Horse (McKernan) is a massive out for us, he structures us up nicely, but with me a Jakey down there I thought it worked pretty well this week as well.”

A crucial part of the side’s outstanding second half was the forward group’s ability to curb the influence of intercepting Swan Aliir Aliir, who was clearly Sydney’s best in the heavy loss.

“Alliir and Grundy were taking a few intercept marks in that first half which made it harder for us forwards,” Brown said.

“So we tried to engage him (Aliir) a lot, me and Jakey in that second half, and I thought that worked well.”

The Bombers were simply dominant, generating an astonishing 72 inside-50s to Sydney’s 39 and 34 scoring shots to 16, and Brown said it was one of the best victories he’s been a part of.

“It would be up there for sure. Obviously with Sydney being such a good side it sets our season up, so hopefully we can get a few more wins and push our case for finals.”

Essendon’s race towards a possible finals berth is gathering serious momentum and the side faces its next challenge against Hawthorn at the MCG next Saturday.