Gawn, Lever and Brown out for Melbourne. Essendon start fairly well in light rain, up 8 at quarter break. Setterfield starting on ball instead of Shiel and limiting Oliver at the clearance. The Bombers rucks getting on the scoreboard, up 17 at the half. The rain picks up in the 3rd and Essendon kicks out to a commanding 36-point lead by 3-quarter time. Hind kicks the range sealer and then another to boot. The Bombers comfortably home by 27 points, against one of the Premiership favourites. Essendon won the hit-outs, Melbourne +10 in clearances, the Bombers with more of the footy and applied 16 more tackles. Essendon with 2 more inside 50's, for 5 more scoring shots. Merrett best afield, with 35 disposals, 9 inside 50's, 7 tackles, 8 intercepts, 550 metres gained and an assist. Draper 14 disposals, 3 contested marks, 18 hit-outs and 3 straight goals. Parish 34 disposals, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50's, 7 intercepts and 602 metres gained. Settlefield 19 disposals, 6 inside 50's and 10 tackles. Laverde 18 effective disposals, 10 intercepts and 466 metres gained. For the Dees, Petracca 27 disposals, 11 clearances, 5 inside 50's, 529 metres gained and a goal. Oliver 41 disposals, 9 clearances, 7 inside 50's, 5 intercepts, 445 metres gained and an assist.
3. (Ess) Z. Merrett, 2. (Melb) C. Petracca, 1. (Ess) S. Draper.
3. (Ess) Z. Merrett, 2. (Melb) C. Petracca, 1. (Ess) S. Draper.