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Melbourne has returned to the winning list after running all over a tired Essendon after half time, in an error-riddled contest at Etihad Stadium.
Our Inside Football experts take a look at the individual performances of each player...
ESSENDON – 10.14 (74)
Mark BAGULEY – 5
Took Garlett for long periods and battled hard, but the Dee goalsneak snagged three goals.
Tom BELLCHAMBERS – 4
Should have dominated the ruck, but struggled to get around the ground with Pedersen and Watts. Late goal.
Mitch BROWN – 5
Stationed down back. Dropped a few marks that the Dees capitalised on. One of the few to use the ball well though.
Travis COLYER – 5
Bright start, but unable to use his speed to his advantage, other than booting a running goal in final term
Joe DANIHER – 5
Could have kicked the Dees out of the game in first half – booted six behinds. Finally got a goal in third term and marked well.
Matt DEA – 4
In for Ambrose and wasn’t really a factor in the back half. 17 touches, but no real impact.
Orazio FANTASIA – 3
Kicked an early goal, but from there lacked usual spark inside attacking 50.
Martin GLEESON – 4
Had both shoulders heavily padded and turned the ball over a bit by foot. Had 18 touches, four clearances.
Brendon GODDARD – 7
Kicked the ball very well compared with most other players on the ground. 481 metres gained.
Josh GREEN – 3
Unable to hit the scoreboard in attack and made some bad decisions with ball in hand.
Dyson HEPPELL – 5
22 possessions and didn’t have normal influence in midfield. Looked heavy-legged, but wasn’t the only one.
Cale HOOKER – 5
Kicked two goals and took some nice marks, but was sore in final term and hobbled around the front half.
Ben HOWLETT – 3
One of the main culprits with his ball use by foot. Only gained 86 metres from his 14 possessions.
Michael HURLEY – 7
Took Petracca and controlled the game in the air in the back half in the opening hour, then subdued. Opponent booted four though.
Anthony MCDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI – 4
Got a late consolation goal but looked a step off what he has been lately with his pressure in front half.
Andrew MCGRATH – 7
Solid game again in back half then pushing up into midfield. Crashed into fence in final term, but appeared okay.
Conor MCKENNA – 6
Made some early errors, but got better as the game wore on. Not the worst.
Ben MCNIECE – 4
Steady early with his ball use, but drifted from the game as Melbourne made its move.
Zach MERRETT – 6
Ball use was uncharacteristically poor in midfield. Won the ball well though, but couldn’t get much going.
Darcy PARISH – 3
Kicked first Bombers goal but then was a spectator for long periods. Had to provide enthusiasm, but didn’t.
Jobe WATSON – 4
Had seven clearances but that was all he did. Unable to run and looked extremely slow on the spread. Needed a break.
David ZAHARAKIS – 5
For a skilful player, his kicking in the first half was comical. Improved in second half but lacked his typical run.
MELBOURNE – 17.10 (112)
Tomas BUGG – 3
Returned to the team and had a few good touches, but wasn’t really a factor overall.
Sam FROST – 6
Had hands full with Daniher, but laid some great tackles and spoils to halt Bomber thrusts. Took game on with ball in hand too.
Jeff GARLETT – 6
Booted three goals to get the better of Baguley and get the Dees going in third term. Gave value for possessions.
Mitch HANNAN – 6
Snagged three goals and was a handful with his aerial work in attack. Didn’t always in the target, but a good effort.
Michael HIBBERD – 7
Strong outing once again – this time against his former club. Kicked it at 94 percent efficiency and intercepted well.
Jayden HUNT – 5
Started in the bench, but came on and had a few eye-catching runs. Seemed to run out of puff a bit late.
Neville JETTA – 7
Very good defensively in his 100th game. Bomber smalls never really threatened.
Nathan JONES – 7
Bounced back to some better form in midfield. Had 30 touches and worked hard in close to feed the ball out to runners.
Went at 100 percent efficiency but wasn’t really an influential performer on the day. Spot in jeopardy.
Jordan LEWIS – 7
Back from suspension and provided an instant calming influence. 30 touches and threaded the needle with late set shot goal.
Oscar MCDONALD – 6
Steady enough on return to the team down back. Had Hooker for long periods and did a reasonable job.
Tom MCDONALD – 7
Big ball-winner in defensive half and back to some better form. Took 12 marks and floated forward for a goal.
Jake MELKSHAM – 5
Just fair in first game against former club. No howlers this week, but didn’t hurt the Bombers either.
Alex NEAL-BULLEN – 3
Quiet game. Showed great courage with third-quarter mark, but just the 10 touches and was a bit fumbly.
Clayton OLIVER – 8
Superb in tight once again. Had five clearances to go with 33 possessions, but only gained 121 metres.
Cameron PEDERSEN – 7
Welcome return to the team as a follower, rather than a ruckman. Made Bellchambers defend, and kicked a goal. Good.
Played deep forward with Hurley his man. Ended up with four goals and made Essendon pay for turnovers.
Christian SALEM – 5
Turned the ball over a bit early on, but steadied after half time and became a handy distributor.
Dom TYSON – 7
Chugged away in midfield mix to end with 29 touches. Had nine inside 50s and gained more metres than any other player.
Bernie VINCE – 6
Made some shocking skill errors in first half in defence, but then went into midfield at stages in second half and was okay.
Jack VINEY – 6
Only the 19 possessions but showed some burst from stoppage that has been missing lately. A step in right direction.
Jack WATTS – 8
Excellent in attack with stints in the ruck. Booted four goals and showed a cool head when others were losing theirs.