The visual approach over Essendon for 34 YMML is really questionable in this day and age. Why are we still doing this approach to satisfy some dumb airspace requirements. If you have any quartering tailwind on base then you need 1000'/minute at least if around Vapp 145-150 with G/S of 160 plus. Fine for a slower aircraft but for modern jets and restrictive parameters one must question the need for this approach when a safer easier approach via Rnav/Gnss is available. If the crew had just flown through the night then I can understand completely how this situation transpired. I have come close to being unstable numerous times in a heavy NG due to the rate of decent required. CFIT and unstable approaches are the number one safety issue and ATC expecting this sort of approach after a long duty is plain irresponsible. I bet more crew will request the longer arrival after this!