Adelaide’s 82-point win over Essendon was its second biggest of the season behind the Club’s 88-point victory over St Kilda in Round 11.
The Crows gained more than four percentage points on Sunday, climbing to fifth on the AFL ladder – just 0.13 per cent out of fourth place. The second to fifth-placed teams are separated only by percentage heading into the final month of the home and away season.
Rory Laird set another personal best on Sunday night, amassing a game-high 36 disposals at 86 per cent efficiency. Laird also took seven marks and generated a team-high six rebound 50ms.
Of Laird’s 26 possessions, 13 were contested – a game high. He also had 10 intercept possessions, which ranked him equal-second in the AFL for the round.
Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch both chalked up 33 touches against Essendon.
Sloane sent the ball inside attacking 50m nine times – more than any player on the ground. The acting Crows captain gained 707 metres at Adelaide Oval – ranked fifth in the League in Round 19.
Matt Crouch had a Round 19-high 21 handball receives.
Brad Crouch collected a season-high 31 possessions – his best tally in a game since 2013.
Jarryd Lyons was the leading clearance player on the ground with seven. Lyons also laid six tackles – second only to Richard Douglas (seven) for the Crows.
Adelaide had nine different goalkickers in its big win including six multiple goalkickers.
Eddie Betts led the way with five goals which saw him pass the 450 career goal milestone.
Promising forward Mitch McGovern bagged a career-high four goals while Charlie Cameron equalled his best-ever haul, also slotting four goals.
Cameron notched up his 50th AFL goal in the process.
Defender Kyle Hartigan kicked his first-ever AFL goal after being switched to attack in the second half.
Betts and Sloane were each involved in 13 scores – ranked equal fifth in the AFL on the weekend.
Betts ranked No.1 in the League for scoreboard impact points (46) according to Champion Data.
The lively forward took six running bounces behind only GWS defender Heath Shaw (seven) for the round.
McGovern took five marks on the lead – more than any other player on the weekend.
Despite having nearly 100 more touches than the Bombers, the Crows won the tackle count, 69 – 62 on Sunday.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 457
Essendon – 363
Disposal efficiency
Adelaide – 78%
Essendon – 72%
Kicks
Adelaide – 216
Essendon – 191
Handballs
Adelaide – 241
Essendon – 172
Clearances
Adelaide – 35
Essendon – 40
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 65
Essendon – 45
Contested possessions
Adelaide – 156
Essendon – 136
Uncontested possessions
Adelaide – 309
Essendon – 229
Tackles
Adelaide – 69
Essendon – 62
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 26
Essendon – 60
