Melbourne coach Neale Daniher was left thanking the "footy gods" after a lucky bounce helped full-forward Russell Robertson seal the Demons' AFL finals berth against a fast-finishing Essendon at the MCG.

The Demons won 13.17 (95) to 12.13 (85), continuing their cliff-edge ride through the late stages of the season with their third narrow victory in as many weeks.

It was a fortunate escape, after the Bombers closed from 19 points down at the last change, to within four points during the last quarter.

Only some poor Essendon shooting for goal in the tense final minutes prevented the Bombers from snatching the lead and snuffing out Melbourne's finals dream, as the Bombers' last five scores were behinds.

They included a miss with a 25-metre set shot from youngster Angus Monfries, which would have levelled the scores, and another miss from outside 50 metres by ruckman David Hille which would have put the Bombers in front.

Robertson, who finished with four goals, capped the win in sensational style with just over two minutes left in the match.

With his side five points in front, Robertson gathered the ball on the lead on the half-forward flank, wheeled around onto his left foot and bounced a shot through from about 50 metres, with the ball turning sharply left to go through after landing in the goal-mouth.

"We weren't going to give it up," a relieved Daniher said.

"At the end of the day the footy gods were on our side, the wobbly ball went through.

"All credit to Essendon though, they weren't just going through the motions, they gave us a terrific hit-out, that's what we needed."

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