The Adelaide Crows have come away big winners against the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium cruising to a 43-point win.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Essendon Bombers 12.8.80
Adelaide Crows 18.15.123
The Essendon Bombers face off against ladder leaders the Adelaide Crows in a big game at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:25pm AEST.
Essendon comes into the game sitting in eighth spot and clinging onto that final spot in the eight by percentage only.
Adelaide sit on top with a one-and-a-half-game buffer on the fast-finishing Greater Western Sydney Giants.
These two teams faced off against one another earlier in the season with the Crows running riot over the Bombers by 65 points at the Adelaide Oval.
Both sides have been high scoring teams this season – the Crows topping the AFL table with most points, while the Bombers are 3rd.
The Bombers had to overcome a spirited Carlton side at Etihad Stadium last weekend just getting over the line by eight points, Adelaide meanwhile punished their cross city rivals the Port Adelaide Power cruising with an 84-point smacking.
With these two high powered offenses going against each other it should be an entertaining game from both teams forwards lines, with Coleman medal contender Joe Daniher down one end and the mercurial forward Eddie Betts looking to run amok, there will be no shortage of highlights in the game.
The loss of Zach Merrett and Orazio Fantasia from the Bombers team will be hard to overcome and with the Crows going into the game unchanged the Bombers will need big games from their midfield stars.
After Jobe Watson announced his retirement during the week the Bombers will have added motivation for the remainder of the season.
Adelaide look to be far too good across the board for the Bombers to challenge, and with two of their shining lights from the season out injured or suspended it will make the game tougher for them.
The Crows have not had it all their way over the Bombers in recent years and out of their last 5 games the only wins the Crows have managed have been at home.
Prediction
Adelaide Crows by 33
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Sam Walker
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report The Roar player of the year. Brodie Smith Matt Crouch Josh Jenkins Stats. Leading goal scorers. 4 Cale Hooker (Essendon) 3 Josh Jenkins (Adelaide) 3 2 others Leading disposals 35 Matt Crouch (Adelaide) 34 Michael Hurley (Essendon) 27 3 separate players Inside 50s Essendon 47 Adelaide 62 Free Kicks Essendon 14 Adelaide 21 Contested Possessions Essendon 127 Adelaide 144 Disposals Essendon 377 Adelaide 387 Final score. Adelaide Crows 18.15.123 defeats Essendon Bombers 12.8.80.
Birdman
Guest
lol
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cheers birdman, very good signs for the Crows, if they can get their accuracy up a bit more they will be nearly unstoppable come finals.
Birdman
Guest
Impressive win by Adelaide. Not sure they're a great side but they're as good as any other team going around this year. Thanks for your blog tonight, Sam.
Basil
Guest
I'm getting a complex. Might have to change my username.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Game Over. Crows Big winners against the Bombers. Running away with a 43 point win Adelaide Crows 18.15.123 defeats Essendon Bombers 12.8.80. Match report and Stats to follow shortly.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Crows. Brad Crouch with a great goal. Essendon Bombers 12.8.80 Adelaide Crows 18.15.123 1:03 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Mark to Mitch McGovern and he goes back and kicks the goal for the Crows. 3 goals for the night to McGovern. Essendon Bombers 12.8.80 Adelaide Crows 17.15.117 1:33 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Crows. Rushed. Essendon Bombers 12.8.80 Adelaide Crows 16.15.111 4:03 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Crows. Josh Jenkins misses. Essendon Bombers 12.8.80 Adelaide Crows 16.14.110 4:20 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
That one in the second quarter from Lynch was a horrible miss.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Crows. Josh Jenkins with his 3rd goal of the game. Again the Crows reply instantly from a Bombers goal. Essendon Bombers 12.8.80 Adelaide Crows 16.13.109 5:55 4th q
Basil
Guest
Crows goal kicking has been atrocious the last couple of weeks. Missed some real sitters.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Bombers. Travis Colyer with a big kick from outside 50 for goal. Essendon Bombers 12.8.80 Adelaide Crows 15.13.103 6:50 4th q
Birdman
Guest
Gee Crows have missed some gimmes tonight but have had control throughout even when the Bombers got consecutive scores.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Mitch McGovern with a strong mark in the Crows forward 50 and he is going back for a shot on goal. He misses for a behind. Essendon Bombers 11.8.74 Adelaide Crows 15.13.103 8:28 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Crows. Hugh Greenwood hits the post. Essendon Bombers 11.8.74 Adelaide Crows 15.12.102 9:57 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
A certain goal to Tipungwuti is called back due to a dangerous tackle against the Bombers.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Crows. Josh Jenkins gets his second and it is another quick reply from the Crows. Essendon Bombers 11.8.74 Adelaide Crows 15.11.101 12:40 4th q
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Bombers. James Stewart with a thumping kick goes through for a goal and the Bombers are chipping away at the lead again. Essendon Bombers 11.8.74 Adelaide Crows 14.11.95 13:33 4th q