Melbourne v Essendon

The numbers lean Melbourne

Melbourne edge 4–1 on season record, scoring margin, recent form and recent meetings. 223 meetings in AFL on record. A read of the stats, not a tip.

• Essendon lead the head to head 133–88 (2 draws) from 223 meetings since 1897.
• 2026: Melbourne 15–9, Essendon 2–21. Melbourne have the better margin, +7.6 a game to -38.1.
• Last five: Melbourne 3 wins, Essendon 0. Essendon are on a 5-game losing run.
• Melbourne average more goals per game: 14.4 to 10.
• Melbourne average more inside 50s per game: 56.8 to 45.7.
• Melbourne average more clearances per game: 36.6 to 32.4.
• At home: Melbourne win 52%, Essendon 62% (every game we hold).
• Melbourne’s biggest win in the rivalry: 140–50 in 1927, by 90.

Built only from games in our stats database. A read of the numbers, not a tip.