GAME OVER and MELBOURNE have won an historic victory as they take a close one at the G. All night they were too determined and far too hard at the ball, it's been a long wait but victory is sweet!!

BEHIND DEMONSLast term hero Garland misses a set shot from 40 out to put the game out of the Bombers' reach with less than a minute to the Dons' will need to score twice to snatch this one.

BEHIND DEMONSTapscott with a chance to put the game out of reach marks 35 out, his set shot goes close but his the post, Melbourne by 5 points.

BEHIND BOMBERSThe ball is in centre and the Bombers win the quick clearance Watts and Watson go at it in a rolling battle the ball is forced through for a behind.

GOAL BOMBERSWatson with a Captain's goal gathers near the point post and with poise trickles the ball through for a goal.

GOAL DEMONSGarland kicks his second as Jones kicks into a one out competition deep in the goal square and he out points his man to mark.

Once again Essendon go forward and once again they are denied by desperate Melbourne defence.

Essendon cannot get clear possession as an inspired Melbourne team simply want it more.

GOAL DEMONSA poor decision to play on costs Essendon as the turn over results in a mark to Garland and a goal. Melbourne lead by 5 points.

BEHIND BOMBERSHurley thumps and bumps and finally has to have a shot, he pulls the kick around his body for a point, Bombers by 1.

BEHIND DEMONSA controversial call as the Goal Umpire says what looked like a certain Melbourne goal was touched on the line...no review was called for and the point stands.

BEHIND DEMONSMagna snaps a behind and the Dees trail by 1.

BEHIND DEMONSA long kick into the goal square is thumped through by the Bombers' defence for another Melbourne score...here come the Dees.

GOAL DEMONSSylvia under the pack somehow get loose with the ball and running away from goal kicks the ball back across his body to kick an inspiring goal.

BEHIND BOMBERSRyder picks the ball up with one hand spins through traffic and tumbles a kick through for a point. That was perfect right up until the kick went through for a behind.

SUB ESSENDONLonergan is on and the man wearing the red vest is Davey.

The final term in underway and we are going to have another bounce as the players pile on the ball.

The siren sounds Melbourne are still pressing, keeping the ball in attack for the last 5 minutes of the quarter they couldn't find enough space to manufacture a score, this game is still anyones.

With a minute to go in the term the ball is deep in attack for Melbourne, at the moment it is stoppage after stoppage as the ball is over run with no chance of anyone breaking free.

That goal has put renewed belief in the Dees and they are attacking in waves...now it is the Bombers' defence that is under pressure.

GOAL DEMONSA free kick to Clark as he is shepherded illegally by Dempsy...the big forward lines up from 38 out and guides the ball straight through. Melbourne cuts the lead to 8 points.

The Bombers have the ball penned deep in attack, Melbourne is standing up under the pressure but they need to get the ball forward if only to give them some breathing space.

BEHIND DEMONSMorton has a hurried shot and pushes the ball wide, he had space and a lot more time than he used...Melbourne needed that one.

GOAL BOMBERSColyer roves impeccably, he takes the ball off hands and without breaking stride snaps it across his body from 35 out to kick the Dons' third of the term and stretch the lead to 15.

BEHIND BOMBERSHurley busts open the pack allowing Jetta to pounce, he dashes through the breech before snapping a hurried behind.

Sylvia with strength tumbles a kick out of defence and Garland marks 45 out on a slight angle. Garland kicks out on the full...that hurts especially when the Dees had a run on.

BEHIND DEMONSMelbourne broke from defence but had no-one up forward, having to go wide they buy time and allow Sylvia to go forward. Sylvia marks and from the pocket kicks a behind.

BEHIND BOMBERSJetta soccers a ball through traffic to add a behind to the Dons' score.

SUB MELBOURNEBlease is subbed off with an injury to be replaced by Dunn.

GOAL BOMBERSHocking snaps a goal around his body after Hurley bullocks the ball forward creating yet another opportunity.

GOAL BOMBERSMelksham gathers in traffic and rolls through a goal, Essendon have come out with a renewed purpose they are attacking the ball hard and bottling it up in their forward 50.

BEHIND BOMBERSHurley is having a huge impact on the match but very little on the scoreboard, he kicks his third behind of the match after marking strongly 25 out. Poor kicking is poor football.

The Bombers had 10 more inside 50s than the Dees but trail by six points they will need to be much more efficient this half if they are to win this match.

At half time Melbourne lead by six points, they have been magnificent for the first two quarters...hard at the ball and making the most of every chance, can they keep it up?

BEHIND BOMBERSMonfries has a shot on goal from 45 out, his kick is dead on target but drops quickly and is touched on the line by a leaping Melbourne defender.

GOAL BOMBERSRyder plucks the ball out of the air he drops it to his boot and tumbles it towards the goal, Davey takes off, gets goal side of his man and soccers through a much needed goal.

Melbourne are really having a dip Essendon have had their chances this term but every time they get the ball they are descended upon by swarm of Demons.

Clark takes a great diving mark and sends the ball right across the face...he has not had an impact tonight and the Dees are in the lead, if he stats firing...?

BEHIND DEMONSClark gets in on the act as he snaps from deep in the pocket, his hurried kick was always off line and goes through for a behind.

Suddenly it is the Bombers who cannot find a target as Melksham's kick picks out Jamar who is all by himself...not a black and red jumper in sight.

BEHIND BOMBERSCrameri out positions Rivers and marks deep in the pocket, however his set shot is poor and can only sneak through for a behind.

GOAL DEMONSJones in the pocket scoops the ball up with one hand, at top speed he drops the ball onto his right boot and boomerangs a kick through...the Demons are on fire.

GOAL DEMONSMoloney gathers the ball just outside the arc, he stretches out for a couple of strides and then settles driving a long kick into the goal square it bounces and rolls through...goal.

GOAL DEMONSMorton flies for the mark and is impeded, the Umpire blows the whistle and the Dees will have a chance to hit the front. Morton's kick splits the big sticks and they lead by a point.

BEHIND BOMBERSHurley lays a great tackle and causes the ball to spill loose to Carlisle who gathers and hits the jets...at top speed he tries to guide the ball through but can't, one point.

BEHIND BOMBERSDyson marks and Green tries to remove his head from his body, the Umpire is not impressed and gives a 50 metre penalty. From the set shot Dyson sprays it wide.

Melbourne is really having a go, they are hunting in packs and making their tackles stick.

Ryder leaps into the air and makes it look easy as he takes a dry weather mark in these trying conditions.

At the break Hird and Thompson did not look happy with their charges and let them know it, the rain has stopped but conditions remain slippery.

As the siren sounds the Demons can be well pleased, they trail the Bombers by three points despite Essendon having the weight of possession.

BEHIND BOMBERSRyder deep in the pocket takes a juggling mark, he goes for the check-side but cannot bring the ball around enough and it sails across the face for a point.

BEHIND DEMONSSylvia in heavy traffic weaves this way and that before having a hurried shot on goal, the ball careers off the side of the boot for a behind.

Tapscott out marks Davey and the Essendon forward gives away a 50, that was careless football.

Fletcher is finding way too much space down back, he is cutting off every Melbourne attack that comes his way. Do you tag the oldest player in the competition?

BEHIND BOMBERSHurley marks 35 out on a tight angle, from the set shot he butchers the kick for another Bombers' behind.

BEHIND BOMBERSMelksham running away from goal hits Crameri with a quick hand pass, Crameri's quick kick is off line.

BEHIND BOMBERSMonfries with the chasing pack on his heels gathers the balls and without even rising from the crouch drops it onto his boot, the ball loops high for a behind.

GOAL DEMONSHowe leads wide to the boundary line and is rewarded with the ball, he plays on quickly and from out wide slams home an inspirational goal.

BEHIND DEMONSA 50 metre penalty gets Melbourne beyond the centre of the ground and they get their first score of the match as Trengove snaps the ball around his body for a point.

Melbourne is keeping the Dons at bay but they can't get the ball past the centre of the ground, if they cannot break free the pressure will eventually tell.

Watts is looking more assured down back gathering a loose ball and then taking a strong mark seconds later, that's good news for the Dees.

BEHIND BOMBERSA free kick to Hurley as Sellar takes him too high, from the set shot the Bombers' spear head kicks the ball off the side of the boot for a minor score.

The Dees have had plenty of the ball but are simply too lose with their disposal and gifting easy turn overs to the Bombers.

GOAL BOMBERSWatson loitering on the outside of the melee gathers the ball as it tumbles out, he kicks around his body and lobs the ball through from 20 out, great start Essendon.

The ball hits the turf in the centre of the MCG and the game is underway. Melbourne with the first clearance of the match swing into attack, only to see the ball come straight back out.

A late change for both sides, with Hooker being replaced by Pears in the Essendon side and Bail being replaced by Morton for the Dees.

Welcome to the MCG for the clash between the Bombers and the Demons, Essendon will be looking to keep their near perfect season on track but will remember Melbourne winning their last clash at the G.