Why have you always disliked them? The "away" home finals of the 1990s could be why , but I'm too young to have been a serious supporter back then (and I still blame the afl rather than essendon). Or is it because of their overall finals record against us?
I've respected/liked Essendon more than any of the other big 4. I consider them the Melbourne equivalent of us

!!!
Can't stand Carlton- they are my least favourite side, and the only side I actually hate. I don't like Collingwood anymore now that Buckley is the coach (I like MM, but not enough to make up for my dislike of Carlton!), and I've never liked Richmond as much as most people (and I certainly don't respect them).