Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers wanted to set the tone from the first bounce at the MCG on Saturday.

He delivered.

Having played in just one win in his six games this season and been involved in the past two fade-outs, he knew it was time to respond.

"As a big man in the middle of the ground you really need to take it upon yourself, so I thought I had to start well and get the boys to follow me," Bellchambers told AFL.com.au.

He won the second clearance of the game with his follow-up work and set a platform.

Soon after Joe Daniher went into the centre bounce to give the Bombers two centre clearances to help them kick two goals, and the midfield group was on their way.

Bellchambers put a tap down Jobe Watson's throat and then kicked the Bombers' fourth and fifth goals to set up a 15-point lead at quarter-time.

"I had a mentality around the contest to be really physical. I know if I am doing that I am in the game and the mids will follow me."

At quarter-time the centre clearances were 6-1 in Essendon's favour and it had a lead it would never surrender.

"We needed to respond. We weren't happy with the way we played last week," Bellchambers said.

It was Bellchambers' seventh game in succession after knee surgery led to a frustrating pre-season following the suspension in 2016.

After playing one game against Melbourne in round six, he had to earn his spot back via the VFL.

A six-goal haul against Coburg saw him return in round 10 and he has played each game since to reclaim the ruck spot.

"I am back in the groove with things now," Bellchambers said.

He's winning contested possessions more often than he did in 2014 and 2015 and he has a nice return of 6.1, making him more than a little annoying around goal for the opposition.

Bellchambers turns 28 on Sunday and is forming a good ruck/forward combination with the electrifying Joe Daniher.

It's enough to put a smile on the big man's face.

"I am super-happy to be back here playing football and winning games of footy," he said.