By Zac Standish and Chris Nice
Sunday afternoon has raised more questions than answers within the Essendon camp, following a deplorable 36-point defeat at the hands of Melbourne.
With the legitimacy of both sides' finals heavily scrutinised following their indifferent month of football, it was ultimately the Demons who rose above to potentially turn their season around, with a 12-goal second half blowing the Bombers out of the water.
Three goals to Mitch Hannan and Bayley Fritsch, along with a dominant display from Max Gawn (42 hit-outs, 23 to advatance, two goals) all but sealed the win for the Dees, resulting in Essendon's record to slump to 2-4.
Despite a short turnaround following Wednesday's Anzac Day clash, the Bombers were in all sorts after letting their 16-point lead at half-time slip away.
Looking to resurrect their poor Anzac performances last week, the start was crucial for both sides with early signs suggesting a tight contest under the roof at Etihad Stadium.
With the Dons and Dees trading scoring opportunities early, it would take ten minutes for the first goal to be registered through a brilliant piece of build-up play leading to an open goal for the classy Devon Smith.
As the Bombers looked to get on top of the contest, Melbourne were able to quickly respond from an Essendon mistake with the returning Mitch Hannan putting through the Demons first from the goal square.
Both teams were extremely scrappy in the first quarter, with turnovers a main feature of the game early.
Out-of-form live-wire Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti would end the Bombers' set shot woes late in the term to give his side a crucial six-point advantage at the first change.
The goal-kicking woes of Demons' ruckman Max Gawn would continue to start the second quarter as he again missed an easy set shot opportunity to trim the margin under a goal.
Beginning to get their running game going, Melbourne managed to finally get some reward for their efforts, as a classy snap from first-gamer Charlie Spargo gave them their first lead of the afternoon.
A quick response by Jayden Laverde however would restore the Bombers' lead, before John Worsfold’s men took complete control of the game.
A subsequent Adam Saad run from defence would set up a goal for the previously quiet James Stewart, with Melbourne unable to stop the momentum of the Essendon midfield.
Jake Stringer’s first goal would extend the margin out to a game-high 16 points, with the Demons at risk of getting blown away late, before a second goal to Spargo halted the Bombers' momentum.
Like their previous weeks, Essendon began to slacken their control through their errant ball use, allowing Melbourne to claw their way back into the contest through a Mitch Hannan major.
With all the momentum with the Demons, Essendon had a chance late to kick a goal against the run of the play as a brilliant piece of work by Matthew Leunberger on the wing set up an open opportunity on goal for Stringer.
But a split-second decision to pass off to Joe Daniher would prove costly, with the forward unable to convert the set shot, resulting in a six-point margin at the main break.
The woes only worsened for the Bombers, with the Demons tidying up their skill execution and booting nine of the last 10 goals, seven of which came from the third quarter.
Hogan put a much-needed goal on the board to level the scores early in the third, before the returning Tom McDonald put the Dees in front for the first time since early in the second quarter.
As Essendon's turnovers continued to put a blight on their game - with eight of their opposition's goals the direct result of turnovers by the end of the match - the Demons capitalised with a huge mark and banana from Gawn both rectifying his previous poor kicking and extending his side's lead.
The big grabs kept coming, with Fritsch holding on to a high ball and booting back-to-back goals to make it seven in a row for the Dees.
As Melbourne's composure in front of the big sticks inspired confidence, Essendon struggled to gain any fluency, with the Dees strangling their run off half-back.
While a goal to Stringer from a defensive turnover attempted to reignite the fight within his side, another identical banana from Gawn in the pocket steadied the ship, albeit the spectacle being marred by a vitriolic display directed at the ruckman from a Bomber fan.
It didn't look to be all good news for Melbourne after Hogan hobbled off the field after rolling his right ankle following a marking contest, but his return to the field capped off a terrific quarter for the Demons.
With an opportunity to narrow the margin, Andrew McGrath played on just as the siren rang, leaving the margin at 31 points at three-quarter time.
But it was too much ground for the Bombers to make up, even with their tendency to creep back with final quarter comebacks, despite four goals to courtesty of McDonald-Tipungwuti, Smith and Stringer.
Daniher's lacklustre start to the season continued with a big defensive spoil landing in the lap of Hannan in the goal square, who punished the unlucky error with another major.
As Hogan, McDonald and Melksham continued the Demons' onslaught, the Bombers were well and truly grounded as their opposition continued to smack them around the centre clearances.
Despite their respectable four goals for the term, it was nowhere near enough for the Bombers to steal a much-needed four points.
The final margin resting at 36 points, the Bombers will be heading back to the drawing board as they desperately search for consistent work rate and effort in next week's clash against Hawthorn.
Melbourne meanwhile we be aiming to make it two wins in a row when they face off against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
ESSENDON 2.3 5.7 6.9 10.12 (72)
MELBOURNE 1.3 4.7 11.10 16.12 (108)
GOALS
Essendon: Stringer 3, Smith 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Laverde, Zaharakis, Stewart
Melbourne: Hannan 3, Fritsch 3, Hogan 2, Spargo 2, Gawn 2, T. McDonald 2, Melksham 2
BEST
Essendon: Stringer, J. Merrett, Amrbose, Zaharakis, Hurley, McGrath
Melbourne: Gawn, Hibberd, Hannan, Fritsch, T. McDonald, Salem, Jones
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Melbourne: Nil
TALKING POINTS
1. THERE'S A FEW ISSUES IN BOMBERLAND
Take-off into the top-eight might be somewhat delayed for the Bombers after their dismal performance against Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
Essendon's game plan of constantly playing on and moving with blistering speed proved to be their undoing, with eight of Melbourne's goals coming from turnovers.
Particularly across half-back, the Bombers let the ball slip into the Demons' hands far too often, and were unable to halt their opposition from pouncing upon the ample opportunities.
Their midfield unable to keep pace with the likes of Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Nathan Jones, Essendon conceded their fourth defeat of the season and slumped to 14th on the ladder.
So what do the Bombers need to do?
They need a solid plan for one, with their constant, attacking style of football - although allowing them to score quickly on occasion - leaving them vulnerable in the event of turnovers, which proved to be a common occurrence against Melbourne.
Several players need to find their form which made them so dangerous last year, but as a whole, the Bombers need to work collectively as a unit and expend a consistent work rate rather than delivering in short bursts.
Of course, it's early days in the scheme of things, and there is plenty of time for a turnaround.
But Essendon are currently playing unsustainable football, and it won't guarantee them an appearance in this year's finals.
2. DEES KEEP THE DOOR OPEN AFTER STORMING HOME
Following their wretched efforts against Hawthorn and Richmond, Melbourne managed to pull together the style of footy which has evaded them for the past few weeks.
Aggressive around the stoppages and clever with their ball use, the Demons rectified their previous month with a 12-goal second half to blow away the Bombers.
If the Demons are able to replicate their form over the coming weeks, their claims of being a quality finals contender may come to have some solid legitimacy.
A top-eight appearance is still a possibility, but given how tight the competition is and with teams like Collingwood becoming more prominent, the Dees can't afford another slip-up.
3. JOE'S WOES
Following his breakout year last season, the bar was set exceptionally high for Joe Daniher.
Although finishing with 65 goals and All-Australian honours in 2017, the key forward is a fair way off his sublime form of last year, with only seven goals from the opening six rounds.
He's averaging close to the same statistics as last year, yet his inability to convert as of late has seen the 24-year-old cop a lot of flack.
Once Daniher finds his feet, expect Essendon to lift alongside him.
4. MAX GAWN: HOW BANANAS
What can't Max Gawn do?
The Melbourne ruckman pulled together another exceptional performance, with a whopping 42 hit-outs, 23 of which were to advantage, continuing his stellar opening to the 2018 season.
As if it couldn't get any better for the big man, two spectacular goals in the third term from the boundary capped off his best-on-ground performance.
Both from the exact same set shot position, Gawn proved his impossibly accurate kicking was no fluke - despite two previous misses which should have sailed through the big sticks.
He's been Melbourne's best for a few weeks now and will undoubtedly be leading their best and fairest - but is saying he's in Brownlow contention a stretch?
5. BACK OFF
Unfortunately, Max Gawn's second goal was blemished by some aggressive spectator interference, with the latter getting right into Gawn's face in what was an embarrassing display.
Winning a free kick in the pocket, Gawn went to retrieve the ball from the boundary before he was met with a verbal tirade from a supporter on the other side of the fence, who was clearly unhappy with the decision which had been made.
After imparting some wise words of wisdom, Gawn took the fan's advice on board, slotted his second classy banana and thanked the opposition him for the tips.
Although ending with a humorous outcome, on a serious note, such virulent acts from supporters need to be stamped out, not only for the betterment of the game's atmosphere, but for player safety as well.
The fan was escorted from the ground following the incident.
Some will say "that's just footy", with the supporter simply being carried away in the heat of the moment.
Passion, sure, bring that along to every game.
But there's being a die-hard, then there's being a lunatic.
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