by a goal at the nine-minute mark of the second quarter when Buckley kicked a running goal, but the Bombers booted five of the next six goals - including two each to Andrew Lovett and Monfries - to get out by 21 points.
A late goal from speedy Demon Aaron Davey reduced the margin back to 15 points at half-time.
ESSENDON: 3.1, 9.6, 14.8, 19.10 (124)
MELBOURNE: 2.2, 7.3, 11.5, 17.6 (108)
GOALS: Essendon: Lloyd 8, Monfries 3, Lovett 2, McPhee 2, Atkinson, Reimers, Slattery, Jetta
Melbourne: Sylvia 3, Morton 3, Bate 2, Maric 2, Bartram, Buckley, Davey, P Johnson, Wonaeamirri, Green, Jamar
BEST: Essendon: Lloyd, Lovett-Murray, McPhee, Lovett, Peverill, Monfries, Fletcher
Melbourne: Morton, Bruce, Sylvia, McDonald, Buckley, Bate
INJURIES: Essendon: Reimers (hamstring)
Melbourne: Davey (heel), Garland (hamstring)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Kennedy, Sully, Fila
CROWD: 46,334 at the MCG
Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes
3. Matthew Lloyd (Essendon)
2. Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon)
1. Cale Morton (Melbourne)