ESSENDON has got its season back on track and may well have ended Hawthorn's in the process, with the Bombers bolting away from their great rival to win by 43 points at the MCG on Saturday night.

In a must-win clash for both sides, Essendon led throughout but kicked away in the final term to win 15.16 (106) to 9.9 (63).

The result moves the Bombers to 2-4 from six matches, while the hapless Hawks have just one win and searching for answers.

In a match that had a bit of everything and will give the AFL’s match review panel much to ponder on Monday, the result ultimately came down to the final term.

And the Bombers, who led by 12 points at the last break, finished full of legs.

In fact, not only did Essendon boot 4.7 in the final term but it also managed to keep the Hawks scoreless.

Alwyn Davey kicked the first of the final term six minutes in, but the game was sealed when David Hille - who enjoyed a terrific night although he may come under scrutiny for a late bump - goaled with eight minutes remaining.

The Bombers were superbly led by captain Jobe Watson (28 possessions), while veteran defender Dustin Fletcher blanketed Jarryd Roughead, who went goalless.

Lance Franklin kicked five to continue his goalfest against the Bombers but that wasn’t enough for his team. The Hawks had few winners, although Clinton Young (22 possessions and two goals) tried hard.

The Bombers had led by 23 points at quarter time but that margin was whittled down to 10 at half-time.

It might have been more had it not been for Hille’s late bump on Young just before half time. The Hawk goaled from the resulting 50m penalty to cut the deficit to less than two kicks.

The third quarter - which saw the first free kick of the year being paid for a player deliberately rushing a behind - was perhaps the game’s highlight.

The two teams engaged in an intriguing arm-wrestle, with tempers flaring and the umpires paying four 50m penalties during the period.

Franklin was the beneficiary of the deliberately-rushed behind decision. Henry Slattery walked across the goal line and umpire Scott McLaren didn’t believe he was under sufficient pressure to be able to do so, penalising the Bomber.

However, not even that good fortune could help the Hawks, with Patrick Ryder getting a steadier late in the third term, before his team marched away in the final term.

Essendon        5.4       7.6       11.9     15.16 (106)
Hawthorn       1.5       5.8       9.9       9.9 (63)

GOALS
Essendon: Hurley 4 Davey 2 Gumbleton Hille Lonergan Monfries Prismall Ryder Stanton Watson Zaharakis
Hawthorn: Franklin 5 Young 2 Bateman Osborne

BEST
Essendon: Watson Fletcher Lovett-Murray Stanton Winderlich Slattery Hille Hurley
Hawthorn: Franklin Young Hodge Bateman

INJURIES
Essendon: Dyson (knee), Hurley (knee)
Hawthorn: Nil

Reports: Hille (Ess) reported by umpire Chamberlain for engaging in rough conduct against Young (Haw) in the second quarter
Welsh (Ess) reported by umpire McLaren for striking Ellis (Haw) in the third quarter

Umpires: McLaren, Chamberlain, Kamolins

Official crowd: 61,006 at the MCG

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.