Round 18, 2024
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 13 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 52,866
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.2 | 6.6 | 8.6 | 13.6.84 |
| Essendon | 3.3 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 10.7.67 |
Melbourne win by 17 points
Goalkickers: Bayley Fritsch 3, Daniel Turner 3, Jake Melksham 2, Kysaiah Pickett 2, Kade Chandler 1, Ed Langdon 1, Caleb Windsor 1
Milestones:
100 games
Kysaiah Pickett
Without injured Captain Max Gawn, Melbourne went into a wet night game without a recognised ruckman against an improving Essendon side who could have gone second with a win. The returning Harrison Petty took ruck duties, but after kicking the first goal Melbourne conceded the next three and looked vulnerable. Two late goals reduced the margin to a point, and when heavy rain fell during the second term they took control of the game.
The margin was 17 points at the last change, before Essendon kicked the first goal of the term. The Demons responded with five in a row to build a match-winning lead, before a late burst by the Bombers cut the margin to less than three goals with three minutes to play. They were unable to challenge further, allowing Melbourne to return to the top eight at the end of the round.
Best were Judd McVee, Ed Langdon and Trent Rivers. Taj Woewodin replaced Andy Moniz-Wakefield in the fourth quarter.
Links
Demonblog match review