Melbourne has lost its NAB Challenge match against the Bombers, going down by 40 points at Visy Park.

In a competitive showing, the Demons will rue their missed opportunities in front of goal.

The Demons controlled play in the opening ten minutes of the first quarter, playing positive and attacking football, but wasted their opportunities going inside 50, which resulted in their kicking the first five behinds of the match. Essendon then capitalised on Melbourne’s inaccuracy to register six unanswered goals. Melbourne replied with two late majors from Jones and Grimes, to make the margin 21 points at quarter time.

The second quarter started well for Melbourne, with a thumping Brent Moloney goal, but Essendon registered with two quick majors of their own to extend their lead. Melbourne again missed costly opportunities in front of goal, which hurt them on the scoreboard and had them trailing by 28 points at the main change.

In the third quarter, Jack Grimes was superb, amassing 11 possessions as the Dees began to convert on the scoreboard, kicking five goals for the quarter.

Trailing by 21 points going into the fourth quarter, the Demons needed a quick start and got exactly that with Ricky Petterd’s third goal of the match inside the first minute. Unfortunately, the Bombers kicked the next two to extend the lead 27 points at the six minute mark. From there, Melbourne continued to fight hard but couldn’t quite get back into the match as the Bombers kicked away to run out victorious by 40 points.

For the Demons, Jack Grimes was a standout performer with 32 possessions, two goals and seven clearances. Ricky Petterd was busy in the forward line, kicking four goals. Jared Rivers was again courageous down back, and Colin Sylvia provided run in the middle.

Final Score
Melbourne: 11. 14. 80
Essendon:  18. 12. 120

Melbourne
Goals: Petterd, Jones, Martin, Maric
Best: Grimes, Petterd, Rivers, Sylvia, Morton

Essendon
Goals: 3 Ryder, 2 Davey, 2 Stanton, 2 Lonergan, 1 Monfries, 1 Hocking
Best: Dempsey, Lonergan, Ryder, Hooker