Essendon have slumped to a 27th defeat from their past 28 starts, with an unconvincing North Melbourne downing the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy encounter at Docklands.
Already enjoying their most productive season since 2019, the Kangaroos beat the Bombers for the second time this year to improve to an 8-7 record.
Essendon briefly took the lead late in the first term but North controlled the match and never looked like losing as they posted a 10.19 (79) to 9.11 (65) victory.
It leaves the Kangaroos inside the top-10 and in reach of a wildcard spot as they aim to play finals for the first time since 2016.
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Despite welcoming back captain Andy McGrath and fellow key players Isaac Kako, Jye Caldwell and Darcy Parish from injury, Essendon still couldn’t end their horror run.
The Bombers’ only win since the end of May 2025 came against Melbourne in this year’s Gather Round, which ended a club record-equalling 17-game losing streak.
Since that upset, Essendon have suffered another 10 defeats, while Brad Scott was sacked as coach and replaced by interim leader Dean Solomon last month.
If Solomon is to have any chance of securing the job full time, the Bombers simply have to improve dramatically in the last eight games of the season.
Midfielder Sam Durham enjoyed a spectacular start to the game with two first-half goals, but Essendon had few other winners as North controlled possession.
The Bombers ended the match with just 23 inside-50s to three-quarter-time but Nate Caddy did bring down a mark of the year contender late in the final term with a superb speccy.
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North’s ball use and inside-50 efficiency badly let them down, but newly re-signed star Harry Sheezel sparkled with 43 disposals.
Rejuvenated defender Caleb Daniel racked up more than 40 possessions for the second-straight week.
Fellow Kangaroos midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke slotted the first goal of the game, which proved to be the most memorable of the contest.
North captain Nick Larkey endured a frustrating day in front of goal, the usually dead-eye forward finishing with 1.5 after spraying several gettable chances.
The Kangaroos will travel to face Port Adelaide, coming off a memorable Showdown win, next Sunday.
Essendon will return to Docklands for a clash with St Kilda.
AAP
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