A wasteful goalkicking performance from Essendon has proven costly, with Melbourne pouncing to win a scrappy clash at Etihad Stadium by 38 points on Sunday.
Five days after a standout Anzac Day performance, Joe Daniher lost his touch under the roof and finished with 1.6 as Melbourne overran the Bombers to win 17.10 (112) to 10.14 (74).
The win ends a three-game losing streak for the Demons, who were able to clean up their skills in the second half and kick 13 goals to six after the main break, squaring their season at 3-3.
Impressively, Melbourne overcame structural holes in the ruck and forward line, kicking a winning score without a genuine ruckman or power forward.
Utility Cam Pedersen (18 hit-outs and eight marks) came into the team and was competitive in the ruck, while Christian Petracca sacrificed his midfield game to play as a forward target opposed to Michael Hurley, kicking a career-high four goals.
Jack Watts stepped up when needed and also booted four goals, defender Tom McDonald (26 possessions and 12 marks) was composed in defence, and midfielder Clayton Oliver (33 possessions and five clearances) continued a strong season.
For the Bombers it was a missed opportunity, with John Worsfold's men unable to cash in on their ascendency during the second quarter, kicking 2.6 from 16 forward entries.
Daniher booted five behinds for the term, taking his tally in the first half to 0.6 with two other shots on goal going out of bounds on the full.
His 'bag' of behinds included a number of gettable set shots and he returned to the field during the half-time break to practice his goal kicking, finally breaking though 12 minutes into the third quarter.
The young forward turned to the crowd after his snap shot, but it would be his last shot on goal and his only major for the game in a rapid fall from his Anzac Day heroics.
The wayward kicking in the first half would leave the Bombers wondering what if, with the Demons coming out in the second half a new team, with their midfielders taking control of the game.
Jordan Lewis, returning from a three-match suspension, was terrific with 30 possessions, with his composure under pressure only highlighting how much he has been missed through the Demons' three-game losing streak.
ESSENDON 2.2 4.8 6.12 10.14 (74)
MELBOURNE 2.4 4.6 12.9 17.10 (112)
GOALS
Essendon: Fantasia 2, Hooker 2, Parish, McGrath, Daniher, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Colyer, Bellchambers
Melbourne: Petracca 4, Watts 4, Hannan 3, Garlett 3, McDonald, Pedersen, Lewis
BEST
Essendon: Goddard, Hurley, Merrett, McGrath, Gleeson
Melbourne: T. McDonald, Petracca, Lewis, Oliver, Hibberd, Pedersen
INJURIES
Essendon: TBC
Melbourne: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Haussen, Nicholls, Hay
Official crowd: 44,040 at Etihad Stadium
