Essendon 0-2 facing the Premiers, without star midfielder Merrett. Yet to have anything to be excited about in 2022. Young Tex Wangeneen in debut, son of one of the greatest to ever lace up the boots, perhaps will show us something. Lever still out for Melbourne, Weideman replaces Brown. He takes a contested mark and kicks the first. Has his kicking woes though, missing 2 others, it is windy conditions though. The Bombers being butchered in the play early, but not punished on the scoreboard. McDonald bends one around the corner, the Bombers goalless after one, down 19. Cutler kicks Essendon's first halfway through the 2nd, should've been selected in round 1. Wright backs it up, the Bombers back in it. Melbourne up 9 at the half, in a low scoring game. Wangeneen snaps a goal to start the 3rd and the camera on the great man in the stands. Wright follows with his second, giving Essendon the lead. Wright again from 50, really kicking well in 2022. Redman with a costly turnover from the kickout, hands Melbourne a goal. Harmes with back to back goals. Stringer kicks back to back goals himself, putting the Bombers back in front. The Dees end the term well though, taking a 13-point lead into the last. They kick away in the 4th, with a Fritsch goal. Langdon kicks a fluke goal to seal victory, Melbourne winning by 29 points. The Bombers won the hit-outs and the clearances, but Melbourne had a lot more of the footy. The Bombers laid 14 more tackles, but Melbourne had a dominant 26 more inside 50's and 11 more scoring shots. Oliver clearly best afield, with 38 disposals, 8 clearances, 15 inside 50's, 5 intercepts, 666 metres gained and 3 assists. Brayshaw 34 disposals, 20 marks, 5 inside 50's, 8 intercepts, 518 metres gained and an assist. Weideman 11 disposals, 2 contested marks and 4 goals. For the Bombers, Wright 10 kicks, 3 contested marks, 4 goals and an assist. Parish 24 disposals, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50's, 5 intercepts.
3. (Melb) C. Oliver, 2. (Ess) P. Wright, 1. (Melb) A. Brayshaw.
3. (Melb) C. Oliver, 2. (Ess) P. Wright, 1. (Melb) A. Brayshaw.