Essendon overcame the absence of several key players to beat the Western Bulldogs by 19 points in their AFL match at Telstra Dome.

Matthew Lloyd, playing up the ground, kicked five goals and Jason Johnson was outstanding in the midfield as the Bombers staved off the Bulldogs 20.9 (129) to 16.14 (110).

Lloyd kicked an outstanding running goal in the last term and then unloaded a 50m bomb to cap off a great night.

The Bulldogs trailed by two goals at three-quarter time and pulled to within that margin twice during the last term, but could not maintain the pressure.

Bulldogs utility Mark Alvey appeared to become the fourth player in as many weeks to suffer a season-ending knee injury.

Alvey's knee buckled as he went for the ball late in the second term.

Bulldogs captain Chris Grant needed a knee reconstruction after round one, while Josh Francou (Port Adelaide) and Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood) also have suffered the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

In an extraordinary third term, Essendon blew the lead out from two points at halftime to 38 midway through the quarter.

A cakewalk beckoned for the Bombers, only for the Bulldogs to kick the last four goals of the term.

The highlight of a pulsating third quarter was Nathan Brown's miracle goal from the boundary line.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP