Nate Caddy brings up game 50 as Melbourne meet Essendon
Melbourne meet Essendon at MCG, Sunday 3:15pm (AFL, Round 1). Essendon have won 133 of the 223 meetings with Melbourne since 1897.
The big picture
Melbourne are 15–9 in AFL 2026, averaging 98.2 points for and 90.5 against.
Essendon are 2–21 in AFL 2026, averaging 69.6 points for and 107.7 against.
Form
Melbourne have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Carlton 55–74.
Essendon have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to Port Adelaide 95–105.
Essendon have lost their last five.
Head to head
These sides have met 223 times on our records since 1897: Melbourne 88, Essendon 133, 2 drawn.
Last time out (2026, Round 14), Melbourne won 95–50 at MCG.
Biggest margin between these two: Essendon by 148 points in 2013 (184–36).
Players to watch
For Melbourne, watch Jake Bowey (24.9 disposals a game, 2 goals in 2026) and Jack Steele (23.5 disposals a game, 4 goals in 2026).
For Essendon, watch Archie Roberts (28.1 disposals a game, 2 goals in 2026) and Zach Merrett (27.3 disposals a game, 10 goals in 2026).
Milestone watch
Nate Caddy is set to play game 50.
At MCG
Melbourne have won 12 of their last 21 at MCG.
Essendon have won 1 of 13 at MCG.
What the numbers say
On form and history, Melbourne have the edge.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
