The Adelaide Crows took a thumping win over the Essendon Bombers on Sunday afternoon, runnning out the winners by 82 points.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Adelaide 22.11.143
Essendon 9.7.61
The Adelaide Crows are looking to get back on the winners list in emphatic style when they host the Essendon Bombers at Adelaide Oval. Join us on The Roar from 4:40pm (AEST) to follow all of the action.
Read more:
» AFL talking points from Round 19
» NRL talking points from the weekend
» The Wrap: Super Rugby semi-finals
Adelaide had a disappointing loss against Geelong last week, as for the second time this season the Cats made the Crows look like pretenders.
But the Crows’ best form is still as good as anyone, and this clash against the Bombers could provide a confidence booster heading into the run home to finals.
With the top eight as tight as it is, every single win is critical, while percentage could also be pivotal and this week gives the Crows a chance to keep their top-two hopes alive.
For Essendon, all signs point towards the 2016 wooden spoon after losing to fellow strugglers Brisbane last week. A chance to claim a rare win, the Bombers started well but struggled to maintain the intensity required for the four quarters.
This means they will likely get the number one draft pick, but don’t expect them to shut up shop for the rest of the year. John Worsfold has his men taking the game on at all costs and playing some exciting football, but poor goal-kicking has cost them when they have been in the contest.
While the Bombers own a slight advantage in the recent head-to-head record, that will obviously mean nothing for this clash.
After being held to just 55 points last week, watch out for the Adelaide forward line to come out with a point to prove as the likes of Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Taylor Walker – if he comes up from his injury – look to dominate the young Bombers defence.
It’s hard to see where the Bombers can gain any sort of advantage in this game, with the Crows having such great depth in all areas.
Zac Merrett, Brendan Goddard and Adam Cooney will need to be at their absolute best against a midfield that includes the likes of Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch and Scott Thompson.
Another key battle will be in the ruck, where Dons big man Matthew Leuenberger faces the ever-reliable Sam Jacobs.
Prediction
Adelaide will be far too strong in this contest.
Crows by 50-plus points.
Will the Crows get a percentage-boosting win to get their top-two hopes back on track, or can the Bombers pull off an upset for the ages? Join The Roar from 4:40pm (AEST) for all of the action.
Josh
Expert
» Click here to read our AFL talking points from Round 19 » Click here to read the full match report Full time Yerp, that's game. Dons avoid the 100-point margin. That's something, I guess? Adelaide 22.11.143 Essendon 9.7.61
Josh
Expert
Goal Essendon Nice mark on the run from Jayden Laverde, and he pops through what should be the last goal of the match. Adelaide 22.11.143 Essendon 9.7.61
Josh
Expert
Goal Essendon Joe Daniher bangs through his fourth goal, and the margin drops back to 88. Dons should avoid the triple-digit loss now. Adelaide 22.11.143 Essendon 8.7.55
Josh
Expert
Goal Essendon Kyle Langford pops through a goal and the margin is back under the triple digits. Three minutes in the game. Adelaide 22.11.143 Essendon 7.7.49
Josh
Expert
Goal Adelaide Paul Seedsman pops through a goal, and the Crows' lead is back out to 100. Adelaide 22.11.143 Essendon 6.7.43
Josh
Expert
Behind Essendon James Polkinghorne gets a set shot - just a behind. Adelaide 21.11.137 Essendon 6.7.43
Josh
Expert
Goal Essendon Joe Daniher gets a set shot, and has no trouble this time. Adelaide 21.11.137 Essendon 6.6.42
Josh
Expert
Goal Adelaide Mitch McGovern bangs through a career-high fourth goal, and the Crows lead by 101. Nine minutes left. Adelaide 21.11.137 Essendon 5.6.36
Josh
Expert
Goal Adelaide Richard Douglas adds his second goal, and that's 20 majors in total for the Crows. Adelaide 20.11.131 Essendon 5.6.36
Josh
Expert
Joe Daniher with a shot, sends it out on the full.
Josh
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Behind Adelaide Eddie Betts with a set shot after a great mark, but it's a bit of an odd kick and never really looks good. Adelaide 19.11.125 Essendon 5.6.36
Josh
Expert
Goal Adelaide Josh Jenkins adds another one for the Crows, they lead by 88. Adelaide 19.10.124 Essendon 5.6.36
Josh
Expert
Final term underway.
Josh
Expert
Record for the biggest ever comeback from 3-quarter time is 45 points down. The Bombers, being 82 points down, are probably not going to break it.
Josh
Expert
3-quarter time Adelaide 18.10.118 Essendon 5.6.36
Josh
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Behind Adelaide Brodie Smith has a set shot from a fair way out after the siren, makes the distance but not the target. Adelaide 18.10.118 Essendon 5.6.36
Josh
Expert
Goal Essendon Joe Daniher clunks one up forward and swings it around. Adelaide 18.9.117 Essendon 5.6.36
Josh
Expert
Behind Adelaide David Mackay has one touched, needs to go to score review. Adelaide 18.9.117 Essendon 4.6.30
Josh
Expert
Goal Adelaide Mitch McGovern takes a quality mark up forward, pops through a second goal. Adelaide 18.8.116 Essendon 4.6.30
Josh
Expert
Eddie is about to boot a sixth when the play is called back for an unrealistic attempt free kick.