Joe Daniher got the Bombers off to a perfect start with a goal in the first two minutes of the match but from there it was all the Hawks.
They piled on ten unanswered goals with the Bombers second goal not coming until mid way through the third quarter.
Daniher was the only multiple goal kicker on a day where there were not many winners for the red and black.
Lachlan Dalgleish (15 disposals) Dylan Van Unen (18) and Ariel Steinberg (21) all toiled hard in defence for the Bombers.
On the ball it was the performance of Elliott Kavanagh that was most impressive as he locked down key Hawks midfielder Liam Shiels.
Essendon now sit ninth on the ladder and will need to win all of their remaining games to be in with a shot at making the finals.
They will try to return to the winners list next Saturday afternoon at Windy Hill when they take on eleventh placed Frankston.
Essendon 5.9.39
Box Hill 15.21.111
Goals: Daniher 2, M. Ambrose, Browne, Colyer.
Best: Dalgleish, Kavanagh, Van Unen, Daniher, Hams, Steinberg.
