ESSENDON has systematically dismantled the Brisbane Lions in a flat game under a closed roof at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The Bombers were never going to lose after jumping to a 31-point lead after a brilliant first 17 minutes, but didn't give the Lions the trashing they often threatened, eventually cruising to a 67-point win, 19.15 (129) to 9.8 (62).
Five talking points: Essendon v Brisbane Lions
Even so, Essendon coach James Hird was delighted by the Bombers' defensive efforts against the Lions, saying defence was the area where the Bombers most needed to improve.
"The highlight for us was to have only two goals kicked against us in the second half, [which] is something I can't remember us having done in the last 18 months since we've been here," Hird said after the match.
"Defensively we were very happy with that result and it's been pretty blatant that we want to defend better than we have been and the guys did better in the second half defensively."
Early in the last quarter it looked like the Bombers' victory would be soured by a knee injury forward Stewart Crameri suffered in a tackle by Lions defender Daniel Merrett.
But Hird said Crameri, who kicked four goals in the first quarter, had sustained a "significant bruise" to his knee and shin and was expected to play next round.
Essendon's win was powered by a dominant engine room, with skipper Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton accumulating possessions at will, Tom Bellchambers supplying many of those with deft ruckwork and Sam Lonergan continuing his impressive development.
Dyson Heppell and Dustin Fletcher also dominated in defence, while small-forward duo Alwyn Davey and Leroy Jetta combined for six goals and continually harassed the Lions' defenders.
The win gives the Bombers a 5-1 record after six rounds but we will know more about them when they take on West Coast next round at Etihad Stadium.
No one could question the Lions' endeavour. Despite being clearly outclassed they refused to concede when it looked like the Bombers were on track for a massive win.
Lions coach Michael Voss said his team's loss was principally due to the Bombers' dominance at stoppages; they led the Lions in clearances 44 to 28.
"The reality is, they bashed us up and because of that, that creates tentative [play] and that means your composure goes out the window," Voss said.
"That's what the core of it is."
Midfielder Daniel Rich was the Lions' best, while skipper Jonathan Brown worked tirelessly all day, but too often his hard work was done in defence.
Ash McGrath, Jack Redden and Pearce Hanley were other Lions who could hold their heads high.
The Bombers' 10-day break leading into the game looked to agree with them as they dominated the opening of the game.
Essendon rammed on 4.2 before the Lions scored and, after 17 minutes, led by 31 points. At that stage, the Bombers had racked up 63 possessions to the Lions' 35, while they also had seven of the first eight inside 50s.
Essendon's chief destroyer in the first quarter was Crameri who bamboozled Lions vice-captain Daniel Merrett with his mobility.
The Bombers continued to control general play but the Lions hit back with four goals in the second half of the quarter to go into quarter-time 26 points down.
The second quarter followed a similar script. The Bombers looked set to tear open the game at times and had stretched their lead to 42 points by the 22-minute mark.
But despite Essendon having twice as many inside 50s for the quarter - 20 to 10 - the Lions made the most of their chances and kept the Bombers' lead to 35 points at half-time.
ESSENDON 8.3 12.9 16.12 19.15 (129)
BRISBANE LIONS 4.1 7.4 8.4 9.8 (62)
GOALS
Essendon: Crameri 4, Jetta 3, Davey 3, Lonergan 2, Monfries 2, Melksham, Dyson, Lovett-Murray, Dempsey, Watson
Brisbane Lions: Brown 2, Polec 2, Crisp 2, Hudson, McGrath, Cornelius
BEST
Essendon: Stanton, Watson, Bellchambers, Lonergan, Heppell, Hocking, Fletcher
Brisbane Lions: Rich, Redden, Brown, McGrath, Maguire
INJURIES
Essendon: Crameri (knee/shin)
Brisbane Lions: McGrath (adductor)
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Courtenay Dempsey subbed out for Travis Colyer in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Billy Longer subbed out for Patrick Karnezis in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Fila, Grun
Official crowd: 36,361 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
