Where and when: MCG, Friday April 5, 7.50pm AEDT
Last time they met: Marvel Stadium, round six, 2018: Essendon 10.12 (72) lost to Melbourne 16.12 (108)
Bayley Fritsch, Charlie Spargo and Mitch Hannan combined for eight goals as Max Gawn ran riot in the ruck. Both sides were coming off short breaks after Anzac Day and Anzac Eve fixtures, but Melbourne got the upper hand early with seven goals to one in the opening term.
TV, radio and online: Click here for broadcast guide
What it means for Melbourne: At 0-2, Melbourne's slow start to the season is worrying. The Demons need to find form and quickly before the season slips away from their grasp.
What it means for Essendon: After a tough opening to the season, the Bombers' confidence has taken a hit. The pressure is well and truly on the Bombers to deliver.
Essendon and Melbourne haven't met at the MCG since round two, 2016 - a 13-point win to the Bombers. (Photo: AFL Media)
How Melbourne wins: Convert 72 inside 50s into more than six goals. Efficiency going inside 50 will be a key focus area for Melbourne on the training track this week after the drubbing in Geelong.
How Essendon wins: Match Melbourne for contested possessions and limit their effectiveness going inside 50 from a defensive point of view. Their small forwards also need to lift their own rate and start trapping the ball inside 50.
The stat: Melbourne has started the season with a win-loss record of 0-2 36 times in club history. The Demons have only made the finals once (2006) from that position.
The match-up: Max Gawn v Tom Bellchambers
Gawn is ranked at No.7 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings based on his form across the past two seasons, although his latest form is nowhere near comparable to that. Bellchambers, the 10th-ranked ruckman in the AFL, has also struggled in Essendon's first two games.
CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE WEEKLY BOMBER BULLETIN
