First quarter: Melbourne 1.3 (9) to Essendon 1.3 (9)

The opening term didn’t reach any great heights, with just two goals registered. 

Melbourne kicked the first for the match via Dom Tyson and Ben Howlett opened Essendon’s account.

At the first break, scores were level, with both sides booting 1.3 each. 

Second quarter: Melbourne 3.9 (27) to Essendon 3.4 (22)

Melbourne started the second term in position fashion, when Jeremy Howe kicked truly, giving his side an eight-point advantage. 

Yet the Demons soon squandered several opportunities in front of goal and really should have been further in front. Instead it had 2.7 on the board, before Essendon kicked two in a row to hit the lead by two points.

But when Aaron vandenBerg laid a fine tackle and then converted from a set-shot, the Demons were back in front by five points at half-time.

Third quarter: Essendon 9.7 (61) to Melbourne 4.13 (37)

The second half continued to be a see-sawing contest early on, but in a more free-flowing manner. 

Bomber Joe Daniher opened the quarter and Jesse Hogan answered soon after, but it quickly turned into a disappointing quarter by the Demons.

By the final change, the Dons booted six goals to one, jumping out to a 24-point lead.

Final quarter: Essendon 10.9 (69) d Melbourne 7.18 (60)

Although Melbourne was still within reach entering the final term, it needed to turn its third quarter form around quick smart – which it did for most of the term, until Essendon kicked the sealer in time-on.

The Demons booted the first three goals of the term via Nev Jetta, Jeff Garlett and Tom McDonald to reduce the four goal deficit back to just two points.

But when Daniher booted his fifth goal at the 23-minute mark to land Essendon’s only major for the term, it put Dons back up by nine points, which was the final margin.