2.22pmHT: Pickett on track for more Brownlow votesBy Kysaiah Pickett is running rings around the Bombers. He has kicked his third goal of the match in the second term and already has 18 disposals as the half-time siren sounds. Surprising that Bombers coach Dean Solomon is allowing him to run around without a tag.HT: The Demons lead 9.9 (63) to the Bombers 3.5 (23)2.18pmDouble injury blow at the MCGBy Two big injury concerns at the MCG.Essendon’s Archie Roberts has been taken straight from the ground and into the rooms with a dislocated shoulder. He did not go off through the interchange, so that’s his afternoon done.In a separate incident, Melbourne’s Lukas Cooke has been ruled out of the game with a cheekbone injury. He suffered the knock during a marking contest that also left Ben McKay with a gash to the head.McKay came off because of the blood rule, but has returned with a sizeable bandage.But he faces another concern - namely MRO scrutiny. McKay appears to shove Jake Lever into a marking contest, knocking the stuffing out of Ed Langdon.Tex Walker copped a week for such an action.2.13pmRoberts suffers shoulder injuryBy Dean Solomon has swung Zach Merrett back into the midfield looking for some drive.The interim coach has played the former skipper off half-back in recent weeks, but he has been wasted there today. The Bombers need drive forward of the centre.But while Merrett looks to add some bite, there is big trouble for his teammate Archie Roberts who has come from the ground with what looks to be a dislocated shoulder.Roberts did not even come through the interchange. He was walked straight to the boundary by Essendon medics and taken to the rooms.He will take no further part in this game.Moments earlier, Ben McKay returned to the field with his head heavily bandaged.2.09pmCrowd celebrates Neale DaniherBy It was a touching moment at the six-minute mark of the first quarter at the MCG.The crowd stood to applaud the late, great Neale Daniher, who wore No.6 for the Bombers.The MCG crowd stands to applaud Neale Daniher at the six-minute mark of the first quarter.AFL Photos via Getty ImagesFans applaud Neale Daniher at the six-minute mark.Getty ImagesNeale Daniher’s No.6 hangs in the Essendon rooms before the game.AFL PhotosEssendon greats: Neale’s brother Terry Daniher (left) with Mark Harvey.AFL Photos2.08pmMcKay off with blood ruleBy Nate Caddy has bounced back after being robbed of a big pack mark.He snaps a goal from the forward pocket to keep Essendon in this match. They have three goals for the game, and trail the Demons by 24 points.Ben McKay earlier kicked a goal for the Bombers.Getty ImagesAs he was taking the shot, teammate Ben McKay came from the ground because of the blood rule. He copped a knock to the head and might need a few stitches.2.02pmCaddy is robbed of shot at goalBy Gee, Nate Caddy can’t take a trick at the moment.He appears to take a big pack mark, dragging the ball to the ground about 30m from goal, but the umpire rules his opponent, Lukas Cooke, marks the ball instead.Not sure about that one, umps. It looks every bit Caddy’s mark from the stands.The Demons lead Essendon by 28 points in the second term.2.00pmDouble joy for big MaxBy Max Gawn a goalkicker? Who would have thought?Max Gawn is booting goals at the ’G against Essendon.Getty ImagesBut big Max is on song at the MCG today, nailing his second major with a thumping 55-metre drop punt.Now Gawn and Kysaiah Pickett have two each. Gawn kicked the first of the game.1.57pmWelcome return for MelkshamBy Jake Melksham gets ahead of the Bombers’ Jaxon Prior.AFL PhotosIt’s great to see Jake Melksham back in the action after a long lay-off.Melksham celebrated his 250th game during Gather Round, but left the ground early with an injury in the club’s loss to Essendon.Today at the MCG is his first game back. His 251st game. It is quite a coincidence as Melksham started his career at Essendon.He is certainly on the right side of the ledger so far today, with Melbourne jumping to a four-goal lead after Kysaiah Pickett kicks the first goal of the second term and his second of the match.The build-up to the match was all about Neale Daniher, who had significant links to both clubs. His family is sitting in the MCG stands watching on.1.46pmQT: Bombers lacking fightBy We are at quarter-time at the MCG, and Essendon have been disappointing.They are flooding back into defence but not bringing enough pressure.Essendon’s Will Setterfield clashes with Melbourne’s Tom Sparrow.AFL PhotosThis has allowed Melbourne to kick the first four goals of the game and five for the term to take an 18-point lead into the first break.But Ben McKay has continued to enjoy his new life as a forward for Essendon. He missed an early shot, but snapped truly later in the piece to give the Bombers their second goal and at least keep his team in touch.Will Setterfield kicked Essendon’s first major of the match.On the stats front, Melbourne have dominated inside 50s by 20 to nine.1.35pmDees race out of blocksBy The Demons 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 of 2