Essendon skipper Jobe Watson has starred as the Bombers rebounded from successive AFL losses and another difficult week to swat aside Richmond by 29 points at the MCG on Saturday night.

The reigning Brownlow Medallist lit up the “Dreamtime at the G” indigenous celebration match with three goals and 28 important touches in the comfortable 13.13 (91) to 9.8 (62) win.

His biggest impact came in the second and third quarters as the Bombers broke open the match.

The Dons skipper booted one and Zaharakis two as the Bombers poured on five unanswered goals in the second term, while Richmond’s best players barely sighted the ball.

With his side leading by 20 points at halftime, Watson then booted the opening goal of the third before creating another goal to Jake Melksham with sheer hard graft.

Watson won a race to a loose ball, and dished off a handball while at full stretch and falling to ground to set up Melksham for a major which snuffed out any realistic hope for the Tigers.

He also was involved in the final goal of the term to Ben Howlett with a wonderful cross-field kick to give his side a 34-point lead.

Despite being outgunned for virtually the entire contest, Richmond clawed back to within 20 points of the Bombers with five minutes left.

But Essendon forward Stewart Crameri put the issue beyond doubt late with a strong mark and his third goal.

Essendon reclaimed a top-four place with the victory, which came in a week their players have been grilled as part of the ASADA probe into their controversial 2012 supplements program and their chief executive Ian Robson resigned.

Richmond are now 5-4.

The only sour note for Essendon was another injury to cursed forward Michael Hurley, who injured his ankle when landing awkwardly in the second term.

He was substituted at halftime.