SUMMARY: Melbourne boasts a surprisingly good recent record against Essendon, but even the most one-eyed Demons fan would struggle to imagine another victory this time. The simple fact is that the Bombers were astonishingly good in their backs-to-the-wall win over the Adelaide Crows at AAMI Stadium in the season-opener while the Demons were inexplicably bad in their 79-point capitulation to an also-rebuilding Port Adelaide at the MCG. This could deteriorate into another demolition at the same venue, with Essendon presenting a sterner challenge than the Power. Anything short of a red-hot go from the Demons will again have fans baying for blood.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday April 6, 7.40pm?
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2012, Melbourne 8.10 (58) d Essendon 6.16 (52) at the MCG
R11, 2011, Melbourne 15.11 (101) d Essendon 10.8 (68) at the MCG
R15, 2010, Melbourne 19.8 (122) d Essendon 14.19 (103) at the MCG
R12, 2009, Essendon 19.17 (131) d Melbourne 13.5 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2008, Essendon 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 17.6 (108) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Melbourne upset Essendon the last time the sides met, winning by six points in round 10 last season at the MCG. It was the Demons' first win of 2012.
2. Despite recent poor form, Melbourne has had the better of Essendon in their past three clashes.
3. In the past two contests between the sides, Melbourne has won the total possession count comfortably.
4. In Melbourne’s 2011-12 upset wins over Essendon, tackling has been the difference – 84-69 in 2012 and 78-51 in 2011.
5. Essendon does not enjoy a good recent record at the MCG, losing 18 of their past 25 games since 2010. In 2012 they lost five of their seven games on the hallowed turf.
6. Essendon and Melbourne have met 10 times in round two, but Melbourne’s most recent win in these fixtures was back in 1939, when Norm Smith bagged four goals for the winners and Dick Reynolds kicked three for the losers.
