FIVE goals straight from Joe Daniher has been the catalyst forEssendon's first win since round eight, with a pressure-lifting nine-pointvictory over Melbourne.
After being stung by 110 points by St Kilda last Sunday, the Bomberslooked to be in crisis with the future of James Hird making headlines early inthe week.
But the players showed remarkable spirit on Saturday at the MCG tostave off a late Demons comeback that cut the margin to two points and shelvetheir five-game losing streak, 10.9 (69) to 7.18 (60).
Paul Roos' men were in the contest to the main break, with theslick conditions caused by a pre-game burst of heavy rain contributing to thetight slog.
But they had no answers as Daniher found the accuracy that hasplagued his form in recent weeks.
Daniher (three goals) and Shaun Edwards (two) inspired theBombers' six-goal-to-one third quarter, as Melbourne's forwards failed to fire.
Then, the Demons fluffed five consecutive shots at goal early inthe fourth – with defender Tom McDonald a repeat offender – before he and JeffGarlett finally converted.
In the telling third term, Jesse Hogan and Chris Dawes wereblanketed by Michael Hurley – who was outstanding - and James Gwilt, andstruggled to find a clean possession.
It didn't help that Hogan and Jeremy Howe both spent time off thefield having ankle injuries treated.
Howe was one of six single goal-kickers, and will await theoutcome of the Match Review Panel that will look at his second-quarter tackleon Alex Browne that hovered dangerously close to a slinging motion.
Browne, in his first game in two and a half years, was subbed outwith concussion after hitting his head on the turf in the incident.
The Bombers were led in the midfield by Brendon Goddard (29disposals) and Brent Stanton (30), who both bounced back from disappointingperformances against the Saints last week.
They managed the win despite acting captain Dyson Heppell beingcurbed by Jack Viney, and Shaun McKernan soundly beaten by solo Melbourneruckman Max Gawn.
The loss of Jobe Watson and Adam Cooney cut the Dons' experiencelevels, which was compounded further on Friday by the withdrawal of JakeMelksham and Heath Hocking.
But despite fielding a team with 12 players with less than 40games to their name (the Demons had seven), the Bombers found a way to put atough week behind them.
Coach James Hird admitted it had been dangerous to play so manyinexperienced youngsters but was delighted with the intensity they brought tothe game.
"One of the things Kevin Sheedy taught me as a player – and I talk to hima lot about coaching – is you shouldn't be afraid to play young players,"Hird said.
"They gave great effort, they made some mistakes, they didn't set up theground exactly how we wanted but they did play.
"I think they played a lot for their supporters and they genuinely careabout what their supporters think and rewarding them for their support."
Roos lamented the Demons' inability to consistently compete inside theirforward arc but said there were positives to come from the way they played,which they'd focus on in the review as they looked to avoid another end ofseason fade-out.
"Statistically, we were really good but that doesn't win you the game ifyou're kicking 7.18," Roos said.
"That's the art of coaching a younger group and one that's coming togetherwith players from other clubs and new guys coming in.
"When we played the way we wanted to play, we played some really goodfootball, which we have done over the last month, but it's keeping the playersup when you have a bad result.”
ESSENDON 1.3 3.4 9.7 10.9 (69)
MELBOURNE 1.3 3.9 4.13 7.18 (60)
GOALS
Essendon: Daniher 5, Edwards 2, Howlett, Stanton, Heppell
Melbourne: Tyson, Howe, vandenBerg, Hogan, Jetta, Garlett, McDonald
BEST
Essendon: Hurley, Daniher, Stanton, Goddard, Heppell, Gwilt
Melbourne: Gawn, Vince, Jones, vandenBerg, McDonald, Dunn, Viney
INJURIES
Essendon: Alex Browne (concussion)
Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Jason Ashby replaced Alex Browne (concussion) in the second quarter
Melbourne: Jay Kennedy-Harris replaced James Harmes in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Deboy, Schmitt, Mitchell
Official crowd: 38,861 at the MCG
