Fresh and firing after a bye, and boosted by the return of Paul Chapman from suspension, the Bombers set up their impressive result by booting the first four goals of the match.

Having been 27 points up at the first change, they extended the margin to 39 at half-time, were 51 in front at three-quarter time, then went on and won 15.14 (104) to 7.12 (54), improving their record to 5-5.

In contrast, the very poor Tigers, who were held goalless in the first and third quarters, have slumped to 3-7.

Midfielders Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard and forward Ben Howlett, who booted a career-high five goals and gathered 25 touches, finished in a three-way tie for the Yiooken Award. 

But Goddard won after the decision was referred back to the votes cast by the panel chairman, three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player Chris Johnson.

Joe Daniher, who was a late inclusion in the Essendon team after Michael Hurley pulled out with back soreness, also did plenty of damage for the winners on the scoreboard.

Daniher kicked three three goals to go with his 12 disposals and seven marks.

Ageless warrior Dustin Fletcher was another outstanding contributor for Thompson's side.

The 39-year-old did most of his good work down back, although he snuck forward in the opening minute to slot the first goal of the game, which had the Bombers faithful dancing in the aisles.

Heath Hocking did a great shutdown job on Richmond playmaker Brett Deledio, but he is likely to catch the eye of the Match Review Panel after making high contact on third-gamer Ben Lennon in the last quarter.

The Tigers were a shadow of the side that destroyed Greater Western Sydney by 113 points the previous week.

Their first-quarter was an error-filled disaster, and they didn't score their first goal until the seventh minute of the second term.

Defender Alex Rance's horrendous left-foot shank during the third quarter, which handed Howlett the Bombers' 11th goal on a platter, summed up Richmond's night. 

Jack Riewoldt, who was coming off an 11-goal haul against the Giants, had a night to forget.

He didn't record a disposal until he fired off a handpass on the wing a minute before half-time. 

And when he took his first mark, one-and-a-half minutes into the second half, his effort was greeted by a Bronx cheer from the crowd. 

Well beaten by Cale Hooker, Riewoldt at least helped his team avoid a complete humiliation by kicking three late goals, including one from long-range after the final siren.

Dustin Martin (28 disposals) and Brandon Ellis (26) were the Tigers' leading ball-winners, while ruckman Ivan Maric competed hard but had little influence in his first AFL game of the year. 

Essendon should make it two wins on the trot when it heads to Spotless Stadium to play Greater Western Sydney next Saturday night. 

The Tigers will be out for redemption when they play North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium the following night.