Adelaide has taken advantage of Carlton's shocking upset to Brisbane to climb into the top four for the first time in 2026 with a clinical win against Essendon.
The Bombers started brightly with the first two goals of the game, but Matthew Nicks' Crows, seeking a response to their loss to Collingwood, kicked the final five goals of the first term and never looked back, romping home by 23.7 (145) to 11.7 (73) at Marvel Stadium.
Adelaide spearhead Riley Thilthorpe monstered Essendon's defence with three first-quarter goals and finished with 5.2 and 10 marks, while Crows star Izak Rankine (23 disposals, 10 score involvements and three goals) was influential in the midfield.
Despite attention from Mason Redman, the visitors' skipper Jordan Dawson (30 disposals, nine clearances) was prolific, while Billy Dowling (three goals,18 disposals) was busy and Ben Keays kicked three goals.
On return from injury, Crows recruit Callum Ah Chee kicked two goals and had three goal assists, with Taylor Walker and Josh Rachele also chipping in with two majors each, but defender James Borlase (hamstring awareness) sat out the second half.
Big man Peter Wright was a shining light for Essendon, kicking six goals while Hussien El Achkar jagged two.
The Bombers came out firing with intense tackling pressure, but in the final 10 minutes of the first quarter, Adelaide won contested possessions 16-2 and clearances 7-1 and made it count.
The Crows then kicked away to lead by 33 at the main break.
Adelaide debutant Oscar Ryan provided a highlight when he cut between four Essendon players and kicked a terrific goal on the run for his first AFL major.
The Crows' win was capped when fellow debutant Archie Ludowyke joined Ryan and Hugo Hall-Kahan in nailing his first AFL goal.
Wright gave Essendon fans something to smile about with his fifth and sixth goals before Adelaide kicked away again.
The Crows (13-7) will host Richmond at Adelaide Oval next Saturday night.
Tickets available here.
SCOREBOARD
ESSENDON 3.1 5.3 6.5 11.7 (73)
ADELAIDE 7.2 10.6 13.7 23.7 (145)
GOALS
Essendon: Wright 6, El Achkar 2, Jones, Clarke, Caddy
Adelaide: Thilthorpe 5, Rankine 3, Dowling 3, Keays 3, Walker 2, Ah Chee 2, Rachele 2, Ryan, Ludowyke, Hall-Kahan
BEST
Essendon: Wright, Sharp, Durham, Setterfield, Roberts
Adelaide: Thilthorpe, Rankine, Dawson, Dowling, Soligo, Ah Chee
INJURIES
Essendon: Clarke (knee, head)
Adelaide: Borlase (hamstring)
