Essendon has climbed up to third on the ladder after stunning the GIANTS by 20 points on Saturday.

Down by 22 points in the second term, the Bombers first calmed the 'Orange Tsunami' and then launched their own punishing wave to win 12.10 (82) to 9.8 (62) at Marvel Stadium.

Nic Martin was outstanding off half-back as Kyle Langford kicked four goals and Matt Guelfi also played a crucial role with his three.

GIANTS midfielder Tom Green had a game-high 34 disposals.

Apart from improving to 6-2-1 and going above the GIANTS on the ladder, Essendon also made a statement after its round 23 capitulation last year.

The GIANTS slaughtered the Bombers at home by 126 points to destroy their finals hopes and deliver a major setback to coach Brad Scott's regime.

Essendon produced its best performance of the season so far to spoil the occasion for GIANTS veteran Callan Ward, who was chaired off the ground after his 300th game.

The GIANTS were cleaner early and took their chances, kicking four goals to one in the opening term.

They broke out to a game-high lead of 22 points when captain Toby Greene kicked his first goal in the second quarter.

But Langford looped a superb goal from his set shot deep in the pocket as the Bombers fought back and when he kicked his second late in the term, they only trailed by 12 points at the main break.

Essendon dominated the third quarter, racking up 19 inside 50s to seven.

Langford kicked another two and when Mason Redman launched a bomb from outside 50, the Bombers hit the front for the first time.

They extended their advantage to 14 points when Guelfi kicked the first goal of the last term.

After Toby Bedford took a great mark and kicked accurately to keep the GIANTS in the contest, Guelfi posted his third and Nick Hind converted on the run to build a match-winning break.

ESSENDON                                     1.2     4.6     9.9     12.10 (82)  
GIANTS                                              4.3     6.6     8.7       9.8 (62)  

GOALS

Essendon: Langford 4, Guelfi 3, Stringer, Redman, Perkins, Hind, Davey
GIANTS: Hogan 2, Greene 2, Stone, Riccardi, Kelly, Jones, Bedford

BEST

Essendon: Durham, Langford, Martin, Caldwell, Merrett, Redman, McKay
GIANTS: Green, Briggs, Coniglio, Taylor, Kelly

INJURIES

Essendon: Nil
GIANTS: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Essendon: Ben Hobbs (replaced Alwyn Davey jnr in the fourth quarter)
GIANTS: Harvey Thomas (replaced Conor Stone in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 37,295 at Marvel Stadium