Round 3, 2022
Melbourne vs Essendon
Friday 1 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 44,503
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.5 | 4.8 | 9.12 | 14.15.99 |
| Essendon | 0.4 | 3.5 | 8.5 | 10.10.70 |
Melbourne win by 29 points
Goalkickers: Sam Weideman 4, Bayley Fritsch 2, James Harmes 2, Ed Langdon 1, Tom McDonald 1, Christian Petracca 1, Charlie Spargo 1, Tom Sparrow 1, Jack Viney 1
Milestones:
50 games
Sam Weideman
Goal of the Year nominee
Ed Langdon
Statistical categories led:
Most inside 50s in a game: 15 - Clayton Oliver
The Demons kept their flawless premiership defence alive, plunging Essendon to their first 0-3 start since 1967. Melbourne had the best of the opening term against the wasteful Bombers, but were unable to land a knockout blow, and had to fight off challenges until midway through the last quarter, when Ed Langdon kicked a Goal of the Year contending banana kick from the boundary line to make sure of victory.
Best were Oliver, Brayshaw and Bowey. Toby Bedford was an unused substitute.