Essendon's season is officially in free-fall, after the club suffered it's fourth loss in as many weeks.

The Bombers were completely outplayed by North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, going down 17.13 (115) to 9.16 (70).

The loss was compounded by an injury to Dyson Heppell, who was subbed out of the game just two minutes into the second quarter.

The midfielder sustained the injury late in the first quarter, and was seen going down into the rooms at the 26 minute mark.

He was absent for the quarter time address, and after attempting some run-throughs on the boundary, was ruled out for the match, with Leroy Jetta his replacement.

Essendon fought hard in the last quarter to reduce the deficit, only to again be outscored by North Melbourne four goals to three.

Even Nathan Grima got in on the action, kicking his first career goal in an effort that saw the entire side run to him in celebration.

The Kangaroos did all the damage in the third quarter, when they piled on six goals to two to be up by 40-points at the last break.

Drew Petrie (20 disposals, three goals) and Daniel Wells (17 disposals, four goals) were influential in that term, exposing the Essendon defence.

Sam Wright (25 disposals, one goal), and Levi Greenwood (38 disposals) were dominant, as the Bombers lost their grip on the rampaging Roos.

It was an effort that had threatened all day, after the Kangaroos controlled the majority of the first half, without putting any scoreboard pressure on.

They jumped out of the blocks in the first quarter, but managed just a 6-point buffer at quarter time.

Essendon grabbed a 2-point lead three minutes into the second term, but the Kangaroos responded with three consecutive goals.

A Kangaroos interchange infringement handed the Bombers a drought-breaking goal through Tom Bellchambers, but the Roos once again found another gear, adding another two goals.

It wasn't the only time the Kangaroos had issues on the bench, with a near-mistake making its substitution in the fourth quarter.

Grima initially donned the subs vest, only to be told Leigh Adams would be the man to leave the game and make way for Will Sierakowski.

Jake Melksham (19 disposals, three goals) was the best of the Bombers, despite battling a foot injury in the second quarter.

Jobe Watson finished with 31 possessions, while Michael Hibberd (26 possessions) was also damaging rebounding from defence.

North Melbourne's side took a different look with the late withdrawals of Jack Ziebell and Scott Thompson, who were replaced in the selected side by Levi Greenwood and Sierakowski.

ESSENDON 1.3   4.8      6.12     9.16 (70)                  
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3    7.6   13.10   17.13 (115)          

GOALS
Essendon: Melksham 3, Bellchambers 2, Davey 2, Hardingham, Kommer
North Melbourne: Wells 4, Petrie 3, Tarrant 3, Bastinac, Cunnington, Gibson, Grima, Macmillan, Thomas, Wright

BEST
Essendon: Melksham, Watson, Hibberd, Hardingham, Goddard
North Melbourne: Petrie, Greenwood, Wells, Wright, Hansen, Cunnington

INJURIES
Essendon: Dyson Heppell (foot)
North Melbourne: Jack Ziebell (ankle), Scott Thompson (soreness) replaced in selected side by Will Sierakowski and Levi Greenwood

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Leroy Jetta replaced Dyson Heppell in the first quarter
North Melbourne: Will Sierakowski replaced Leigh Adams in the fourth quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Farmer, Hosking, Jeffery

Official crowd: 34,102 at Etihad Stadium