It was the 'untippable' game. The competition's two most untrustworthy and inconsistent sides pitted against each other following big defeats last week.

Throw in short Anzac Day-related breaks, and picking the winner of Essendon and Melbourne was like predicting Victoria's weather.

But after a seven-goal-to-one third term for the Dees, it was clear your tip would be true with the red and the blue as Melbourne went on to comfortably defeat Essendon by 36 points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The odds might have been even coming into the contest, but the game was far from it.

The 16.12 (108) to 10.12 (72) win was Melbourne's third of the season and comes after last week's belting to Richmond.

There was nothing fancy about it, however it should provide some confidence after a challenging start to their 2018 campaign.

Their forwards – including Bayley Fritsch, Charlie Spargo and Mitch Hannan, who combined for eight goals – were too lively for a lacklustre Essendon defence, while midfielders Nathan Jones, Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes were also impactful as Max Gawn ran riot in the ruck and near goal in a commanding display.

The positives were harder to find for the Bombers, who have slumped to 2-4 after six rounds and will need to find form quickly before their season, and finals hopes, evaporate.

In another sluggish showing that came four days after their Anzac Day shocker against Collingwood, the Bombers conceded 12 goals in the second half and managed just five in an effort that will raise more questions about their midfield and underperforming forward line, with Joe Daniher held goalless.

The Demons didn't have control throughout, though. It took 11 minutes for the game's first goal, as Devon Smith strolled in to boot one for the Bombers, but there were only two more for the term as the out-of-form sides battled hard to get on top.

It was Essendon with the early ascendancy, as the Bombers held a six-point lead at the first break, but ut neither team looked set to break out of early-season malaise with a burst of goals and glory.

The second quarter didn't reveal any signs of that being forthcoming either. Essendon began to move the ball with more fluency out of their backline, and stung the Demons a couple of times with players free in attack to get out to a 16-point break midway through the term.

But sparked by debutant Spargo, who kicked two classy goals for the quarter and provided some bite near goal, the Demons clawed their way back to be six points down at the main break.

Skill errors more than scintillating moments will stick in the mind, however, with the first half drowning in missed kicks, wayward handballs, dropped marks and a couple of out-on-the-fulls for good measure.

Melbourne found its feet after the main change, booting the first four goals of the third quarter in the opening 10 minutes to streak ahead by 18 points. It meant the Demons had kicked six goals in a row as the Bombers started to tire and be beaten to the ball.

Gawn, who pushed forward more to exploit Essendon opponent Matthew Leuenberger, kicked two checkside goals from the pocket for the quarter in a dominant display and when former Bomber Jake Melksham followed that with his own major, the Demons had been able to build a match-winning 31-point advantage at the last change that wouldn't be headed.

MEDICAL ROOM

Essendon: The Bombers appeared to get through the contest without any major injury concerns.

Melbourne: Star Demon Jesse Hogan limped from the field in the third term with an apparent right ankle issue and headed straight to the changerooms for assistance. He returned a little later in the quarter and played out the game.

NEXT UP

The Demons are back at Etihad Stadium next Sunday when they tackle St Kilda, while Essendon faces Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday.

ESSENDON   2.3   5.7   6.9            10.12 (72)
MELBOURNE        1.3   4.7   11.10        16.12 (108)

GOALS

Essendon: Stringer 3, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Smith 2, Laverde, Stewart, Zaharakis
Melbourne: Hannan 3, Fritsch 3, Spargo 2, Gawn 2, Hogan 2, T McDonald 2, Melksham 2

BEST 

Essendon: Merrett, Zaharakis, Ambrose, Hurley, McGrath, Smith
Melbourne: Gawn, Salem, Hannan, Hibberd, Fritsch, O McDonald, T McDonald

INJURIES

Essendon: Nil
Melbourne: Hogan (right ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Foot, Rosebury, Williamson

Official crowd: 35,964 at Etihad Stadium