Despite the Demons only winning one of their past nine matches, they withstood a third quarter comeback from a Bombers side missing key forward Scott Gumbleton before eventually running out 19. 8 (122) to 14.19 (103) winners.
Brad Green was again the star for the Dees, finishing the match with five goals and 27 possessions, while Mark Jamar continued his push for All-Australian selection with a dominant display in the ruck.
Colin Sylvia - playing his first game since suffering a blood clot in his toe after round 11 - made a sensational return to senior ranks with a 29-possession performance, including two goals.
Essendon midfielder Jason Winderlich battled hard for the Bombers with 30 possessions, and he received good support from Jobe Watson (32) and Nathan Lovett-Murray (31).
But with finals aspirations on the line for both teams, it was the Dees who started the game in blistering fashion, taking the game right up to the Bombers with a six goal to three first quarter, opening up a 16 point lead at the first change.
Essendon paid a huge price for ill-discipline in the first half, giving away five 50m penalties - all of which resulted in Melbourne goals - as the Demons extended the margin to 32 points at half-time.
The Bombers had to come out firing on the second half, and Brent Stanton and Nathan Lovett-Murray answered the challenge from coach Matthew Knights, with two goals in the opening two minutes of the third quarter.
With the margin reduced to just 12 points midway through the third term, Melbourne steadied through a fortunate free-kick to Jack Watts and a fourth major to Green on the three-quarter time siren giving the Dees some breathing space heading into the final quarter.
Despite the Bombers kicking six of the last seven goals, any hopes Essendon had of victory were extinguished 16 seconds in the final term, with a Sylvia snap leading the Dees to their fifth win of the season, while handing the Bombers their fifth consecutive loss.
Melbourne 6.2 10.6 14.7 19.8 (122)
Essendon 3.4 4.10 8.16 14.19 (103)
GOALS
Melbourne: Green 5, Trengove 2, Jurrah 2, Sylvia 2, Jamar 2, Bruce 2, Dunn, Bennell, Watts, Bate
Essendon: Neagle 3, Stanton 2, Lovett-Murray 2, Monfries, Zaharakis, Watson, Reimers, Dyson, Jetta, Davey
BEST
Melbourne: Green, Sylvia, Jamar, Bruce, Moloney, Dunn, Trengove
Essendon: Winderlich, Watson, Lovett-Murray, Hocking, Howlett, Colyer
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Essendon: Gumbleton out, replaced in selected side by Sam Lonergan
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kennedy, Armstrong, Bowen
Official crowd: 49,203 at MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
