The wooden spoon appears headed to Essendon for the first time in 83 years after the Brisbane Lions released the pressure valve on their embattled coach Justin Leppitsch with a thumping 37-point victory on Sunday.
In a clash between last and second last on the ladder, the 17th-placed Lions were cleaner by foot and more efficient in front of goal as they ended a club record 12-game losing streak, 20.8 (128) to 12.19 (91).
Led by under-fire skipper Tom Rockliff (38 disposals, one goal), the Lions' senior players ran rampant.
Daniel Rich (27, one goal) broke out of his form slump, while Pearce Hanley (31, one goal) and ruckman Stefan
The Lions, who have hemorrhaged scores this season, peppered the scoreboard with 13 individual goalkickers cashing in on the lacklustre Bombers – and returning forward Josh Walker bagging four majors.
It was only second win for Leppitsch's side after their QClash triumph over Gold Coast in round four, but it lifted them a game and five per cent clear of the decimated Dons.
Essendon now seems almost certain to collect the spoon for the first time since 1933, which would end the longest streak for any club, after notching its 15th-straight defeat, a club record.
Going into a clash as favourites – unthinkable once 12 of their best players were suspended before the season for doping offences – the Bombers looked surprisingly flat and butchered the ball in a disappointing performance.
While they could still trouble Gold Coast and Carlton on the run home, John Worsfold's side now seem destined for the unwanted spoon, although fans will console themselves with the No.1 draft pick in November.
The Dons are building an impressive group of young guns and unveiled another on Sunday with last year's sixth pick, Aaron Francis, showcasing his aerial ability and rebound from half-back.
Francis wasted no time getting into the action, marking on the wing, although he turned the ball over and the Lions capitalised with Tom Cutler slotting the game's opening goal within 90 seconds.
However, the 18-year-old Bomber didn’t go into his shell and, swung forward late, was a bright spot on a disappointing day for red and black-clad supporters, finishing with 16 touches and seven marks.
Despite the Lions' frightful season, they showed no fear of what would have awaited had they lost on Sunday and came out with energy and vigour.
The visitors piled on three majors before Essendon had even taken the ball inside 50 and led by 17 points at the first change.
The Bombers showed some pluck in the second term, but booted 3.5 to 3.1, with spearhead Joe Daniher again playing the roles of hero and villain.
Daniher, who needed attention for a knock to his teeth early, snapped a brilliant major on his non-preferred right boot to reduce the margin to 10 points.
But minutes later he savagely tugged a straightforward set shot, symbolic of the Bombers' wastefulness, and the Lions kicked away.
The visitors piled on six goals to one in the third term to open up a 40-point break and put the foot down in the final term as they romped to their highest-score for the season.
The Lions had winners everywhere, with Ryan Bastinac (30 touches) racking up disposals, Tom Cutler (two goals), Liam Dawson (two) and Eric Hipwood (one) showing some positive signs.
Zach Merrett (34 disposals) never stopped running for the Bombers, with acting skipper Brendon Goddard (31) also tireless and Daniher making the most of shoddy delivery to snare a season-best four goals.
NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Orazio Fantasia, a find up forward, booted the game's last three goals to add some respectability to the Bombers 12th-straight loss at their Etihad Stadium home.