1.35pmDees race out of blocksBy The Demobs have landed the early blows against Essendon at the MCG.After the Bombers opened with two behinds, it has been all Melbourne. They have kicked four straight goals - Max Gawn opened the account, followed by Jacob van Rooyen, Kysaiah Pickett and Ed Langdon.Melbourne skipper Max Gawn kicks the first goal of the game against Essendon.Getty ImagesThe Bombers have been unable to replicate their defensive efforts of last week against Carlton.They have been getting numbers back, but the Demons have been able to pick a way through. It is a game being played without a lot of pressure.First quarter - Demons 4.3 (27) lead Bombers 0.3 (3)1.32pmAdams suffers injury woe as Stengle impressesBy Injury-plagued Sydney midfielder Taylor Adams has suffered another hamstring injury in his first game back in the VFL.Playing against Southport on the Gold Coast, Adams came from the ground hurt in the first quarter on Saturday in what looms as a career-ending injury.Adams, 32, moved from Collingwood to Sydney ahead of the 2024 season, but has been restricted to just 23 games.At Geelong, premiership forward Tyson Stengle has made an encouraging return in his first game since last year’s grand final loss against the Brisbane Lions.The former All-Australian played limited minutes, but kicked three early goals for Geelong’s VFL side against the Gold Coast.Stengle has been dealing with serious personal issues, spending large periods away from the club and being unable to train regularly.1.23pmDemons lift for DaniherBy The lights are on at the MCG on this dim Saturday afternoon, but the spirits are high.The crowd rose and clapped at the six-minute mark of the game in honour of Neale Daniher - who wore No.6 for the Bombers. He also coached Melbourne.Max Gawn hugs Bec Daniher before the game.AFL Photos via Getty ImagesThe Demons have jumped out of the block, kicking the first two goals through Max Gawn and Jacob van Rooyen.But the Bombers have also had chances to new-look forward Ben McKay and Hussein Al Achkar, who both kicked behinds.1.14pmMr Brightside gets an airingBy Fans - those who in the ground - have been asked to sing along to Neale Daniher’s signature song, Mr Brightside.It became a yearly moment on the Daniher Drive when Neale would get up on stage and dance to the Killer’s song. Essendon great Simon Madden addresses the Bombers before the game.AFL Photos via Getty ImagesThe Melbourne cheer squad members are waving their flags in unison with the song.Both sides are in their final huddles, getting a gee up from their skippers, as they prepare to kickstart this game.Essendon great Simon Madden spoke to the Bombers players before the game about Daniher, while Aaron Davey addressed the Melbourne group.1.10pmLate arrivals cause MCG queuesBy Fans have left it to the last minute to arrive at the MCG, causing queues outside the ground, especially lining up to get into the MCC members.The stands are still largely vacant on a day they are predicting between 40,000 and 50,000 fans.MCG Members reserve their seats during an AFL at the MCG.Getty ImagesBoth clubs have already paid tribute to the late Neale Daniher.Maybe the queues outside the MCC members are a result of the new rules about banning people from reserving MCC stand seats, using jackets and scarves.The story was reported by Rachel Ward in The Age on Friday. You can read it here.1.02pmDees have turned MCG into a fortressBy Danny RussellIn a nutshell: Melbourne have been the superior side this year. They sit in the top six with eight wins and five losses, and come off a tough win against Collingwood on the King’s Birthday weekend. Essendon, on the other hand, have been poor. They are searching for their second win of the season, but at least showed a level of improvement in a fighting five-point loss to Carlton last week.Head-to-head: Essendon have beaten Melbourne the past two times these teams have met – both encounters on Adelaide Oval during Gather Round. That might count for something. But Melbourne have been unbeatable at the MCG this year, literally. The Dees are 7-0 on their home turf in 2026, including wins over Hawthorn, Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.Mason Redman plays his 150th game against Melbourne.AFL PhotosMilestone man: The Bombers will be led out today by defender Mason Redman who plays his 150th game.At the selection table: Melbourne have made four changes, losing Brody Mihocek to a neck injury and Caleb Windsor (toe), while dropping Tom McDonald and Latrelle Pickett. They bring in Joel Fitzgerald, Lukas Cooke, Bailey Laurie and Jake Melksham. The Bombers bring in Jordan Ridley and Dyson Sharp after dropping Max Kondogiannis and Saad El-Hawli.12.46pmHird continues to be the wordBy Hannah KennellyChristopher Klose wants to get something off his chest. It’s 5.42pm on a chilly Sunday evening and thousands of Essendon and Carlton fans are streaming into the MCG.As the sun sets, this masthead stood outside the gates to chat to the Bombers faithful about the most talked about man in footy right now – James Hird.James Hird is currently director of coaching at Port Melbourne.Getty ImagesLifelong Essendon fan Klose and his son Jordan graciously agree to an interview and photograph, with Chris joking, “I’ve got plenty to say.”So, should Hird coach Essendon again?“I’m not 100 per cent certain we have a choice,” Chris says, staring down the camera. “I think we should save ourselves a lot of money and not go through the process, just appoint him, let’s get it out of our system.”Read Hannah Kennelly’s full story here.12.36pmWelcome to our Saturday coverageBy Hello and welcome to our Saturday blog. My name is Danny Russell and I will walk you through an intriguing clash between Melbourne and Essendon at the MCG, starting at 1.15pm. I say intriguing because both sides will be honouring the late Neale Daniher and will want to do him proud.On paper, it looks a cakewalk for the Dees. But Essendon’s sole win this year came against Steven King’s men at Adelaide Oval during Gather Round. Can lightning strike twice?As the afternoon unfolds, our guru Roy Ward will step in to anchor the North Melbourne-West Coast clash in Perth, followed by Port Adelaide hosting Sydney at Adelaide Oval tonight.Sit back and enjoy our coverage.1 of 1