The Kangaroos have jumped into the AFL's top eight with a stirring come-from-behind win over Essendon at Telstra Dome.

In scenes similar to last year's comeback win over the Dons, the Kangaroos kicked eight of the last nine goals to win 14.16 (100) to 12.7 (79) and overtake Fremantle and Sydney to go from ninth to seventh, just one spot behind Essendon.

Depending on other results, the Roos could still find themselves outside the eight at the end of the weekend, but it's unlikely they will savour too many wins as sweet as tonight's victory.

Down 25 points halfway through the last quarter, the Kangaroos ran all over Essendon through the midfield and were iron-willed in defence.

Saverio Rocca's five goals from full-forward and another great game from midfield dynamo Shannon Grant (22 disposals, three goals) made them the stars for the underdogs.

But it was also the ability of tagger Brady Rawlings to shut down Bombers captain James Hird and Shannon Watt's blanket job on Dons full-forward Matthew Lloyd that set up the win.

With Hird (seven disposals) and Lloyd (one goal) so quiet, the Bombers lacked the stars to finish off the game despite superb performances from half-forwards Justin Murphy (five goals) and Adam McPhee (three goals).

The Kangaroos kicked the last three goals of the third term to get within a kick at the final change and Corey Jones put them in front with a long bomb early in the last term.

McPhee restored Essendon's lead three minutes later, but the Kangaroos were supreme and added another four majors to seal a fine win.

In the corresponding game last year, the Kangaroos came from 11 points down late in the game to win by eight.

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