Essendon demolish Melbourne, blow premiership race wide open

The AFL’s premiership favourite have been left red-faced after being run over in a one-way demolition job in Adelaide.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Sam Draper of the Bombers celebrates a goal during the round five AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval, on April 15, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Essendon mean business in 2023.

The Bombers proved their credentials in emphatic fashion on Saturday when they demolished Melbourne at Adelaide Oval in a 15.14 (104) to 11.11 (77) result.

Watch every match of AFL Gather Round LIVE & ad-break free in play on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Demons entered the contest as the premiership favourite but were made to look second rate against the Bombers.

Through the opening quarter and a half the teams went back and forth before the Bombers edged clear with a late goal to register their highest-scoring first half this season.

The 17-point advantage ballooned in the third quarter as the Bombers put the Dees to the sword, kicking three goals in torrential conditions while holding their rivals to only two behinds.

Their defensive dominance saw the AFL frontrunners go 53 minutes without kicking a goal as the lead reached 37 points late in the third quarter.

Melbourne showed some fight in the fourth quarter but it mattered little as Essendon responded to any minor challenge thrown their way to record the 27-point victory.

The margin flatters Melbourne who weren’t a factor in the outcome of the contest once the second half got underway.

The win launches the Bombers to 4-1 on the season and into second place on the ladder behind the undefeated St Kilda.

The Dons are soaring. Pic: Michael Klein

Essendon big men Andrew Phillips and Sam Draper enjoyed a day out as they took care of business against Brodie Grundy.

The duo combined for five goals, 10 marks and 38 hit-outs as they proved key difference makers on Saturday.

Melbourne’s normally brick wall defensive unit, without Jake Lever, was continually picked apart by the Bombers.

The early season dominance from the Bombers has thrown their absurd finals hoodoo into the spotlight with fans once again daring to dream.

Not since an elimination final victory against Melbourne back in 2004 have the Dons tasted September success.

For those playing at home, that final took place on September 4, 2004. A whopping 6,798 days ago.

“It’s going to be hard to temper the spirits of those Bombers supporters, it’s been a long wait we know. You get to 4-1 and all of a sudden you’re thinking finals and winning one,” Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

If this is a dream, please don’t wake me.
This is Essendon’s best win for a number of years, what a performance. #GoDons#AFLDonsDees

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) April 15, 2023

Essendon pumping Melbourne?
Go home AFL, you’re drunk. #GatherRound#AFLDonsDees

— Poppy Penny (@PoppyPenny1) April 15, 2023

Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver played a lone role for the Demons, racking up a game-high 41 disposals.

Making Oliver’s display even better is the fact he was held to a solitary seven disposals in the opening quarter as Will Setterfield applied the defensive clamps.

The loss has the Demons at 3-2 on the season with the defeat coming after a loss in the second round against the Brisbane Lions.

They’ll look to bounce back in round 6 when they take on Richmond on Monday night while the Bombers will look to keep their early season hot streak going when they go up against Collingwood on Anzac Day.