Adelaide delivered Essendon a 112-point smashing on Saturday afternoon, kicking twelve unanswered goals after a reasonably competitive start from the Bombers.
>>MATCH REPORT: Crows rout sorry Bombers
The result continues to heap doubt on the future of James Hird’s career as Essendon senior coach while also strengthening Adelaide’s chances of playing finals footy.
Essendon 8.11.59 def. by Adelaide 27.9.171
The Essendon Bombers desperately need a win to relieve the pressure on their embattled coach, but the Adelaide Crows have a spot in the finals in their sights. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm (AEST).
It’s been a difficult three years for Essendon, but while the last two seasons have been plagued by off-field issues, 2015’s problems have all occurred on the park.
At five wins and 13 losses, the Bombers are mired in the bottom four, with a full game and percentage between them and 14th placed Melbourne.
The last fortnight has been particularly painful for Dons fans. After an encouraging 13-point loss to Port Adelaide, the club suffered an 87-point obliteration at the hands of the Western Bulldogs, before being comprehensively defeated by a Giants side playing well below their best.
The Bombers have lost nine of their past 10 matches, including the last four in a row. If they want to help out their beleaguered coach James Hird, they need to turn it around quickly.
After a 52-point loss to the Sydney Swans a fortnight ago, many suggested the emotional toll of this season’s tragic events had caught up with Adelaide.
But while the weight of Phil Walsh’s untimely passing will stick with this playing group forever, last week they put in an inspiring performance to down the white-hot Richmond Tigers by 36 points.
The Crows are a mere 0.1 percentage points out of the top eight, and the likelihood of their Round 23 clash with Geelong becoming an early elimination final grows with every week.
Essendon have won three of the last five clashes between these sides, and the Crows haven’t defeated the Bombers at Etihad Stadium since 2009.
The Bombers could welcome back key players Michael Hurley and David Myers from injury, but changes need to be made to the side after another inept performance.
Jackson Merrett, Elliot Kavanagh and Kyle Hardingham were named best on-field in Essendon’s 32-point VFL win over Collingwood, with at least one primed to replace the suspended Adam Cooney.
Adelaide on the other hand are unlikely to make any changes to their side following last week’s statement victory.
Prediction
Essendon have looked worse and worse with every passing week, and at some point you’d think they’ll decide enough is enough and turn it around. But with too much to play for, Adelaide should rise to the occasion.
Crows by 13 points.
Lindsey Scafe
Guest
Despite a strong beginning, the Bombers went goalless for nearly an hour of game time across the first, second and third quarters, and then conceded 11 goals in the last term to fall to their biggest defeat under Hird. It was another damaging loss for Hird and the Bombers, whose season started so promisingly but fell off a cliff when the World Anti-Doping Agency announced its appeal of the verdict to clear the 34 Essendon players at the centre of the supplements saga.
Bruce
Guest
Gee Saint Jimmy spoke well after the game. He's gotta be given Australian of the Year award for the way he's conducted himself for so, so long. And Tan can't be far behind him if we're all fair dinkum, she's a gem. Old EFC are on to winners there. And what about Paul LIttle....winnner that man!!
WhereIsGene
Guest
Exactly. Don't those players know how selfish they are for letting poor James down like this?
Bobbo7
Guest
Can't be his fault. Nothing else is
XI
Roar Guru
Hird has to be in serious trouble now, right?
Stirling Coates
Editor
FULL TIME REPORT Essendon - 8.11 (59) Adelaide - 27.9 (171) GOAL KICKERS Bombers: Hooker 2, Laverde, Hibberd, Dempsey, Edwards, Zaharakis, Melksham Crows: Betts 5, Walker 3, Jenkins 3, Dangerfield 3, Cameron 2, Lynch 2, Sloane 2, Smith, Jacobs, Knight, Mackay, Atkins, van Berlo, Lyons DISPOSAL LEADERS Bombers: Goddard 34, Stanton 30, Heppell 30, Hibberd 24 Crows: Laird 31, Dangerfield 27, Crouch 26, Lynch 26 TEAM STATS Disposals: Crows 386, Bombers 385 Contested Possessions: Crows 140, Bombers 130 Tackles: Bombers 56, Crows 50 Inside 50s: Crows 67, Bombers 50 Clearances: Bombers 43, Crows 38
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN The Adelaide Crows went gangbusters that quarter, slamming 11 goals to 2 in the final quarter to completely obliterate Essendon by 112 points. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 27.9 (171) FULL TIME
Stirling Coates
Editor
Eddie Betts takes the one handed grab at half forward, and his kick to full forward is hit up in the air by Sam Jacobs, who then leaps again to take the mark. He's lining up from 20 out on the slight angle, and he slams through Adelaide's eleventh goal of the quarter! ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 27.9 (171) Q4: 2'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS Another quick kick inside 50 for Adelaide, and Eddie Betts is generously awarded the mark in the pocket. Lining up from tight on the boundary, he just drop punts it with the right foot and absolutely threads the needle! What a straight kick! ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 26.9 (165) Q4: 4'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS David Mackay's long kick inside 50 is weighted perfectly for the drifting Josh Jenkins. Lining up from 35 out on the 45 degree angle, his kick is a beauty and Adelaide have cracked the century. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 25.9 (159) Q4: 5'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Michael Hibberd has a set shot in the pocket, plays on to improve the angle and kicks straight into the man on the mark. That sums it up. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 24.9 (153) Q4: 6'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Essendon fans giving Joe Daniher the bronx cheer after taking a mark in the centre square. Bit unfair to direct the ire towards him. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 24.9 (153) Q4: 7'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS The scoreboard is ticking faster than the clock. Long kick inside 50, Josh Jenkins stays at the back of the pack, gathers and slams through another goal from point blank. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 24.9 (153) Q4: 9'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS It gets uglier and uglier by the second. Free men in the corridor, the kick goes to Josh Jenkins and while he can't mark, Tom Lynch gathers, snaps and slots another Adelaide goal. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 23.9 (147) Q4: 10'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS They can do no wrong! Brodie Smith receives the handball at half forward, runs to 55 out and just goes bang! Ball sails over the goal umpire's hat and the margin in 82 points! ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 22.9 (141) Q4: 11'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS Quick kick out of the centre square for Adelaide, Charlie Cameron runs onto it and slams through yet another Adelaide goal. It's all too easy for the Crows, and they lead now by 76 points. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 21.9 (135) Q4: 12'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS Taylor Walker gets another chance at goal after taking the mark at full forward, and he dobs it easily. Crows out to a 70-point lead. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 20.9 (129) Q4: 12'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS Patrick Dangerfield gets held onto by Michael Hibberd, and gets the free kick just on 50. Long shot that threatens to fall short, but the fist back into play came after the ball had already crossed the line. Good to see the goal umpire eschew the review and back himself. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 19.9 (123) Q4: 14'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND CROWS Eddie Betts has a crack at his fifth, but the kick falls short and Joe Daniher 'misses' his teammate with the handball, through for a point. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 18.9 (117) Q4: 14'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND BOMBERS Shaun Edwards spins his way out of trouble again, but this time his quick snap for goal hooks sharply to the near side. ESS - 8.11 (59) ADE - 18.8 (116) Q4: 15'