Joe Daniher kicked a career-best six goals in a slick second-half display by Essendon that propelled them to a convincing 58-point win against Brisbane on Sunday.

After a tight first half where the lead changed hands eight times, the slick Bombers found another gear and powered away to the 21.10 (136) to 12.6 (78) win.

James Hird’s side have copped some criticism for at times playing a slower, defensive game and their willingness to play on and move the ball quickly with the roof open at Etihad Stadium allowed them to kick their highest score of the season.

• Why Nat Fyfe is Michael Voss with wings 
• Malthouse: ‘I won’t walk away’

Daniher provided a strong presence in attack where he took eight marks – five of them contested – and was well-supported by Paul Chapman and Adam Cooney, who finished with three goals and was involved in four others.

Both veterans were playing their first games back from injury absences, but the match didn’t end well for Chapman who limped to the bench clutching his right hamstring in the last quarter and did not return.

The final margin looked unlikely early as the Lions took the game right up to the hosts.

Tom Rockliff was important with 18 possessions in the first half, while Josh Green kicked three goals as Brisbane trailed by just five points at halftime.

But the Bombers made their move in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to two, with the Lions managing just four goals in the second half.

Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker impressed in the back half for the Bombers and Brent Stanton was influential through the middle with 25 disposals.

Rockliff finished with 27 possessions for Brisbane, with Marco Paparrone (22), Dayne Beams (20) and Stefan Martin (18 touches and 27 hitouts) also important.

Elsewhere, a tenacious Richmond upset Port Adelaide by 33 points to wreck the retirement party of Power stalwart Kane Cornes.

The Tigers, with Jack Riewoldt kicking four goals, climbed into the top eight with a stirring 11.10 (76) to 5.13 (43) win at Adelaide Oval.

Richmond squared their win-loss record at four-all while Port, tipped pre-season as a premiership fancy, slip to a precarious three wins and five losses.

The Power were unable to send off Cornes, who retired after playing his 300th AFL game.

Both clubs suffered key injuries with Richmond ruckman Ty Vickery hurting a knee and Port backman Jackson Trengove damaging an ankle.

The duo were substituted from a clash in which a fast-starting Richmond were never headed before 45,268 spectators.

Riewoldt was superb while Brett Deledio (28 disposals), Brandon Ellis (30 possessions), Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin and Anthony Miles were prominent.

Port struggled for clear winners – captain Travis Boak gathered a game-high 32 disposals, midfielder Ollie Wines (24 touches) was busy and small forwards Angus Monfries and Chad Wingard each kicked two goals.

And Melbourne returned to the winners list in impressive fashion, downing the Western Bulldogs by 39 points at the MCG.

Led by impressive forward Jesse Hogan and fuelled by a hunger for the contest, the Demons prevailed 15.13 (103) to 9.10 (64) to win their third match of the season.

Melbourne out-tackled the league’s No.1 tacklers, controlling the match after a slow start.

Hogan and Cam Pedersen kicked three goals apiece, while Melbourne’s midfield pack did their jobs.

Aaron Vandenberg continued his encouraging season, Bernie Vince subdued Marcus Bontempelli and Nathan Jones broke free of a Mitch Wallis tag to set up the Demons’ win in the second term.