Round 3 last year. It was a dour struggle all night and, after a tight game for three quarters, Melbourne shook off the Bombers in the final term.

MELBOURNE 3.5.23 4.8.32 9.12.66 14.15.99

ESSENDON 0.4.4 3.5.23 8.5.53 10.10.70

Best players for Melbourne were Oliver, Brayshaw and Gawn.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE



B: T.Rivers 24 A. Tomlinson 20 S.May 1
HB: J.Hunt 29 J.Smith 44 J.Jordon 23 
C: T. Sparrow 32 C.Petracca 5 E.Langdon 15
HF: L. Jackson 6 T.McDonald 25 J.Viney 7
F: B.Fritsch 31 S.Weideman 26 C.Spargo 9
Foll: M.Gawn - C 11 C.Oliver 13 K.Pickett 36
I/C: J.Bowey 17 A.Brayshaw 10 J.Harmes 4 A.Neal-Bullen 30
Sun: T. Bedford 12 Emerg: M.Brown 38 J.Melksham 18 L.Dunstan 27 

In: Sam Weideman 

Out: Ben Brown (H&S protocols)

ESSENDON

B: J. Stewart 17 J. Laverde 15 J. Kelly 29
HF: M. Redman 27 D. Heppell - C 21 N. Hind 19
C: A. McGrath 1 J. Caldwell 6 T. Cutler 12
HF: J. Stringer 25 M. Guelfi 35 N. Martin 37
F: A. Perkins 16 P. Wright 20 T. Wanganeen 40
Foll: S. Draper 2 D. Parish 3 S. Durham 22
I/C: B. Ham 33 A. Phillips 34 J. Ridley 14 D. Shiel 9 Sub: D.Smith 5 Emerg: B. Hobbs 8 A. Waterman 44 B. Zerk-Thatcher 30

In: Nic Martin Andrew Phillips Dylan Shiel

Out: Nik Cox (ankle) Aaron Francis (omitted) Zach Merrett (ankle) Devon Smith (omitted)10.10.

It’s a pity they’re playing this game in Adelaide and not at the MCG. Would have had a bumper crowd.

6 minutes ago, Elwood 3184 said:

It’s a pity they’re playing this game in Adelaide and not at the MCG. Would have had a bumper crowd.

I guess there's a lot of fans who won't be gathering together for this one.