Melbourne coach Steven King has expressed his pride for how the Demons dealt with the ongoing emotion surrounding Neale Daniher to secure a comfortable 45-point win over Essendon.
After a shock defeat to the Bombers in April's Gather Round, the Dees didn't slip up this time as they made light work of the likely wooden spooners, 13.17 (95) to 6.14 (50).
"Just in light of the last couple of weeks, how big they've been for us as a footy club, emotionally coming off a five day break (on King's Birthday), coming off (a game in) Alice Springs," King said.
"This one on paper, might have suggested just rock up, but considering our history of Gather Round, it was hard work.
"Our first half, we got to work and set the game up for us. Rather than sit back and wait and see what the opposition are going to give you, get on the front foot and give it your best early."
In a further blow for the beleaguered Bombers, Archie Roberts -- who would almost certainly be leading the club's best-and-fairest -- badly hurt his shoulder in the second quarter and played no further part.
During an attempted tackle on Kysaiah Pickett, the prolific left-footer collected the Melbourne superstar around the neck to give away an inside-50 free kick and then immediately came off the ground.
"He's pretty disappointed, shattered with what's happened," interim Essendon coach Dean Solomon said of Roberts.
"He's had a good half a year, he's a young man, 20 year old, heavily driven, he's a leader of this football club, but to have that injury is obviously disappointing for him."
Conceding the first four goals, Essendon never looking like challenging a team they comfortably accounted for only two months ago.
Dees captain Max Gawn (23 possessions, 10 clearances, two goals) was in peak form, slotting the opener with a snap that was more like a crafty small forward than the towering ruckman he is.
The eight-time All-Australian then bombed through a set shot from outside 50 in the second quarter, humorously given no chance of making the distance by West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson in radio commentary.
Pickett had a game-high 18 possessions and three goals by halftime, finishing with 32 and a game-high 676 metres gained.
Melbourne (9-5) moved to 8-0 at their MCG fortress this year, taking them to fourth on the ladder under first-year coach Steven King.
The Demons were also left one down on the bench, debutant Lukas Cooke suffering a cheekbone injury following a collision in the second term.
Cooke's fellow mid-season draftee Joel Fitzgerald made an impressive start to his AFL career, gathering 24 possessions during time in Melbourne's high-flying midfield.
Key defender-turned-forward Ben McKay briefly came from the field following a clash of heads, but the former North Melbourne tall again looked lively inside Essendon's forward 50.
Solomon, who is understood to be in contention to be permanent Bombers coach, remains searching for a breakthrough win after three losses.
Essendon (1-13) are tracking to claim their first wooden spoon since 2016 when the club was forced to use top-up players because of the supplements saga.
Both clubs celebrated Daniher, a former Melbourne coach and Essendon player, after the fearless MND campaigner's death on May 26 and emotional state funeral last Wednesday.
Bombers legend Simon Madden and former Demons speedster Aaron Davey gave pump-up speeches to their respective clubs that were broadcast inside the MCG and on TV.
Daniher's favourite song, Mr Brightside by The Killers, was played pre-game, while banners with his face were put at both ends of the ground.