SUMMARY
The ladder-leading Crows are genuine premiership contenders after an unbeaten start to the season in the opening three rounds. After impressive wins against Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn, the Crows survived a fightback from Port Adelaide to prevail in Showdown 42 last weekend. How much of a physical toll that game has taken out of them will be one of the key questions heading into Saturday's encounter with the Bombers, who will be desperate to bounce back from their upset loss to Carlton. The wet conditions at the MCG played a part in the result, so this is a chance for the Bombers to get a true gauge of their progress. There's no bigger test in the AFL than taking on the red-hot Crows on their home deck.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, April 15, 7.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2016, Adelaide Crows 22.11 (143) d Essendon 9.7 (61) at Adelaide Oval
R20, 2015, Adelaide Crows 27.9 (171) d Essendon 8.11 (59) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2014, Essendon 15.11 (101) d Adelaide Crows 14.8 (92) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2013, Essendon 18.9 (117) d Adelaide Crows 11.16 (82) at AAMI Stadium
R19, 2012, Adelaide Crows 16.8 (104) d Essendon 15.10 (100) at AAMI Stadium
Win tickets to Saturday night’s clash at Adelaide Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Crows had total control of the game when they faced an understrength Bombers last year. They won the disposal count 457 to 363, had 33 scoring shots to 16, 20 more inside 50ms and four players had more than 30 possessions. Eddie Betts, Charlie Cameron and Mitch McGovern combined for 13 goals.
2. The Crows lead the League in marks inside 50, averaging 17.3 per game, while the Bombers are ranked 10th in that category with 12 per game. The Crows are also fifth for inside 50s while the Bombers are equal 14th.
3. Essendon will be chasing its second win at Adelaide Oval in four attempts. The Bombers won their first game at the ground against Port Adelaide in 2014, but lost both times they travelled to SA last year.
4. The Crows have continued on their free-flowing ways in attack and are the highest-scoring team in the competition this year with 120 points per game. The Bombers are 12th with 89 points per game, with last weekend's wet weather loss to Carlton bringing their average down.
5. The Bombers struggle winning the ball out of the middle, ranked second-last in the competition in centre clearances with only 10.7 per game. The Crows are equal third with 15.3 per game on the back of the impressive form of ruckman Sam Jacobs.
6. Crows star Rory Sloane has risen two spots to sixth overall on the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Sloane won the Showdown Medal a superb all-round performance against Port Adelaide last weekend. Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett is at a career-high 26th overall after another strong game in last weekend's loss to Carlton.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Mark Baguley
The Essendon defender will most likely get the job on dangerous Adelaide forward Eddie Betts, who has booted 10 goals in his past two games against the Bombers. Betts has made a strong start to the season and Baguley will have to be at his best to keep him under check.
AFL MEDIA PREDICTION: Adelaide by 32 points
