Match

Essendon vs Adelaide Crows

Commentary / 22 Mar 2025

Pre Game

00:00
Adelaide broke a seven-game losing streak against Essendon in Round 19 last season with a two-point win. Three of the last four games between these sides have been decided by less than one goal.

Quarter 1

00:00
Q1 is now underway.
00:16
Tom Edwards makes his debut today for the Bombers. Edwards kicked 39 goals in 19 WAFL games last season including multiple goals in 12 games.
00:29
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Zach Merrett)
00:44
The first score of the game to Essendon came from the opening centre bounce clearance. The Bombers have ranked in the top-4 in points scored from centre bounce clearances in each of the last three seasons.
00:58
Crows Interchange - Riley Thilthorpe off due to an injury.
02:18
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Sam Draper)
02:29
An early goal for Sam Draper that followed a turnover. Essendon has won six of the first eight contested possessions and has lost this count just once in its last seven games against Adelaide.
03:36
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Izak Rankine)
04:26
The first two forward half chains by the Crows have both resulted in scoring chains for a return of two behinds. Adelaide scored 47 points from forward half intercepts last week, which was the second-most of any team in Round 1.
05:57
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Rushed)
06:43
Zach Merrett has recorded the first four inside 50 entries for the Bombers and has been involved in all three scores in a prominent start to the game.
07:28
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Wayne Milera)
07:34
An excellent goal from Wayne Millera punished a number of fumbles and a turnover from Essendon. Adelaide has had six of the last eight inside 50 entries and generated turnovers through 6-3 forward half tackles.
09:01
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Ben Keays)
09:56
Ben Keays polled three Brownlow votes when these teams last played with a career-high five goals from 22 disposals. Keays has already had three shots at goal today including the last goal from the first forward 50 mark of the game.
11:53
Essendon started games well last season, ranked fifth in the opening ten minutes of games. Adelaide was ranked 16th in this measure and only won two of the 13 games when it trailed after this period.
13:58
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Josh Rachele)
14:05
In 2023, Adelaide scored from 48 per cent of its inside 50 entries (ranked No.1). The Crows have generated six scores from ten entries to start this game and look potent when moving the ball forward.
17:40
Adelaide now has a 3-0 lead in forward 50 marks and has not allowed Essendon to generate an inside 50 entry from a defensive 50 chain.
18:04
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Darcy Fogarty)
19:01
The Crows have a narrow 7-6 lead in forward half intercepts but have converted this into a major advantage (20-2) in points scored from this source.
20:14
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Josh Rachele)
21:12
A goal on debut from his first kick for Tom Edwards followed some smart play from Nic Martin. The goal again came from a turnover, with 41 of the 42 points scored so far today coming from this source.
22:56
Essendon has an early 6-1 lead in intercept marks but Adelaide leads 3-0 in marks on the lead and 7-4 in forward half marks.
24:42
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Sam Draper)
25:11
A pair of early goals from free kicks for Sam Draper who has now kicked a goal in each of his last eight games as he transitions to playing more time as a target forward.
28:19
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Taylor Walker)
29:11
Adelaide leads in both tackles (16-12) and pressure rating (181-166) with the high handball game of the Bombers inviting some of this pressure from the Crows.
30:24
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Alex Neal-Bullen)
30:46
Ten scores from 18 entries for the Crows who are putting the Bomber defence under constant pressure. The last score was the first goal for Adelaide to come from a stoppage.
31:32
An impressive opening quarter from Adelaide who won contested possession (41-34) and linked more effectively (5-0 marks on the lead). The Crows scored 21 points from 12 chains starting in the attacking midfield, compared to just one behind for the Bombers from six such chains.

Quarter 2

00:00
Q2 is now underway.
00:26
Crow captain Jordan Dawson was influential in the opening quarter with game-highs for metres gained (304) and pressure points (20) while his ten disposals included three score involvements.
02:16
An excellent set shot from Darcy Fogarty gives the Crows their second goal of the game from a defensive 50 chain. Essendon is yet to score from any of its defensive 50 chains.
03:40
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Nic Martin)
05:03
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Ben Keays)
05:14
Two goals from three entries to start the quarter from Adelaide who is punishing turnovers from Essendon. The Bombers have recorded a kicking efficiency of 60 per cent compared to 71 per cent for Adelaide.
06:44
Marks on lead are now 8-0 in favour of the Crows who are linking up well and exploiting the defence of the Bombers. Adelaide also leads forward 50 marks 7-1 in a dominant start to this game.
09:28
This is already the highest first-half score by the Crows at the MCG since Round 16, 2016. With 13 scores from 23 inside 50 entries Adelaide is displaying an offence that is more akin to 2023 when it was the No.1 ranked offence.
10:56
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Wayne Milera)
11:23
Essendon had a kicking efficiency differential of minus 14.9 per cent in Round 1, which is its second-worst differential over the last decade. The Bombers are currently performing worse in this metric today.
13:02
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Jade Gresham)
13:18
Zach Merrett has again led the way for the Bombers with team-highs for score involvements (4), disposals (16) and metres gained (397) including the last goal which followed a rare defensive error from the Crows.
15:39
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Nic Martin)
15:50
Essendon leads forward half intercepts 6-1 this quarter and both of its goals have come from this source. An increase in forward half pressure from the Bombers (8-2 forward half tackles this quarter) has contributed to these intercepts.
16:01
Crows Interchange - Riley Thilthorpe off due to an injury.
17:50
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Josh Rachele)
19:31
Taylor Walker has had seven disposals for the Crows with six of these being involved in scores. Walker has also taken five marks and continues to be an important link in the offence of Adelaide.
21:17
Adelaide has now scored eight goals from nine set shots following the last goal from Izak Rankine. The Crows now have a massive lead in kicking efficiency (72 per cent to 55 per cent) which is contributing to 9-1 forward 50 marks.
23:15
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Darcy Fogarty)
25:36
Essendon has tried to apply more pressure this quarter with 14-7 tackles and 4-0 free kicks for holding the ball but continues to turn the ball over with errant disposals.
26:11
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Josh Rachele)
26:45
Adelaide has only once scored more than 74 points in the first half of a game against Essendon in Victoria (84 points in the 1993 Preliminary Final).
30:04
Adelaide has dominated the first half winning contested possessions (73-60) and displaying superior ball use that has resulted in 31-6 points from the defensive half.

Quarter 3

00:00
Q3 is now underway.
02:01
Jye Caldwell finished with a career-high 36 disposals last week, along with 17 contested possessions, 10 clearances, and 11 tackles. Caldwell has given the Bombers a better start to the second half with a long-range set-shot goal.
03:21
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Nick Bryan)
03:38
The two early scores in the third quarter for the Bombers have both followed intercepts in the midfield with Essendon starting the quarter well.
03:59
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Jade Gresham)
04:57
The first four inside 50 entries of the third quarter have gone to the Bombers. Essendon has now scored 19 points from four intercepts in the forward 50 and averaged just 5.5 points per game from this source in 2024.
06:01
Ben Keays has now kicked more goals against Essendon than any other opponent and is equal with Taylor Walker for most score involvements today (7) in another strong game against the Bombers.
08:22
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Nate Caddy)
08:58
Essendon leads the inside 50 count 7-1 this quarter having won the first three hard ball gets in a more competitive display.
12:26
Ben Keays is now the No.1 ranked player on the ground and leads all players for score involvements (8), forward 50 marks (4), forward 50 disposals (8) and goals (4).
13:05
Crows Interchange - Izak Rankine off due to an injury.
14:34
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Taylor Walker)
14:42
Adelaide averaged 11 marks per game in its forward 50 last season and has already taken 13 such marks today with the last of these by Taylor Walker resulting in another goal. Adelaide has missed only one of its 12 set shots at goal.
16:37
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Daniel Curtin)
17:02
The Crows now lead 25-0 in points scored from defensive 50 chains and 49-12 points scored from defensive half chains with the Bombers again struggling to defend opposition ball movement.
18:26
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Thomas Edwards)
18:37
Tom Edwards is currently the No.1 ranked Bomber for pressure including three tackles in the forward 50 with the last of these leading to a scoring opportunity.
20:34
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Josh Rachele)
20:42
Josh Rachele had 20-plus disposals for just the seventh time in his career last week, finishing with 21 disposals, two goals, and a career-high 12 score involvements. Rachele has backed up that performance with three goals from his 11 disposals and seven score involvements.
22:03
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Izak Rankine)
22:12
A special goal from Izak Rankine makes it six in a row for Adelaide and a game-high 61-point lead. The Crows have kicked six goals from nine inside 50 entries this quarter with the Bombers unable to disrupt their ball movement.
24:30
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Isaac Kako)
24:54
Crows Interchange - Jake Soligo off due to an injury.
26:47
Essendon has won the centre bounce clearances 8-2 this quarter but has not been able to convert this onto the scoreboard. All three goals this quarter for the Bombers have come from turnovers including the last crafty snap from Isaac Kako.
29:16
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Zach Merrett)
29:28
A pair of goals now for Zach Merrett among his game-high 26 disposals. Merrett has spent 18 per cent of game time forward today after recording 25 scoreboard impact points in Round 1.
31:28
Adelaide now leads forward 50 marks 16-3 and five different players have taken multiple marks in this zone. The Crows also lead 13-4 in marks on the lead.
31:42
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Riley Thilthorpe)
32:25
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Rushed)
34:49
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Riley Thilthorpe)
34:54
A seven-goal third quarter from the Crows sees them post their second-highest score to three-quarter time under coach Matthew Nicks. Adelaide has generated 36 scores from 50 inside 50 entries (72 per cent conversion) which is well above their return last year of 45 per cent.

Quarter 4

00:00
Q4 is now underway.
00:21
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Zach Merrett)
00:47
Essendon has won centre bounce clearances 15-11 today but the last goal from Zach Merrett was its first of the game to come from this source.
01:46
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Jake Soligo)
02:02
This is already the highest score by the Crows at the MCG since Round 22, 2012 when they scored 150 points against the Demons.
03:41
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Alex Neal-Bullen)
03:43
Crows Interchange - Sid Draper off due to an injury.
04:03
Two clearances, two inside 50 entries and two goals for the Crows to start the final quarter and Adelaide is looking at posting a massive score against a defence that has been unable to resist all day.
05:19
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Jade Gresham)
06:23
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Thomas Edwards)
06:53
Since 2021, Adelaide has lost the inside 50 count by 14.6 per game against Essendon (ranked last), but it has dominated this metric today with 52-36 inside 50 entries.
08:06
Rory Laird averages 29.9 disposals from 13 games against Essendon (his most against any opponent). Laird has been moved to the backline this season and contributed 15 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency today.
09:34
Three goals on debut from Tom Edwards for the Bombers who has posted a team-high six disposals in the forward 50 along with three tackles in this zone.
10:51
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Elijah Tsatas)
11:21
SCORE BEHIND - Crows (Sid Draper)
12:43
SCORE BEHIND - Bombers (Jye Menzie)
12:55
Elijah Tsatas has won a game-high ten clearances for the Bombers, including six from centre bounces in a busy display at stoppages. Tsatas had not won more than four clearances in a game before today.
14:17
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Lachlan Sholl)
15:06
Adelaide scored 14 points per game from forward half clearances last season but has scored 33 points from this source today including two goals in the final quarter.
17:11
Adelaide has dominated all marking metrics with 14-6 contested marks, 14-4 marks on the lead, 105-42 uncontested marks and 19-5 forward 50 marks with the difference in kicking efficiency glaring.
17:34
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Darcy Fogarty)
19:32
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Sam Draper)
20:50
Essendon fielded the youngest team in Round 1 this season and its youngest team under coach Brad Scott. Only Richmond has a younger team this Round and the Bombers have struggled at times today to match a well-organised Adelaide team.
23:21
Isaac Kako has again impressed Bomber fans with a pair of classy goals among his four score involvements and Essendon has kicked an accurate 7.1.(43) from its set shots.
26:48
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Riley Thilthorpe)
27:17
Riley Thilthorpe continues to emerge as a key forward of note with seven strong marks, three goals and eight score involvements. Adelaide has had 12 different goal kickers today with six players kicking multiple goals.
31:37
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Jake Soligo)
31:52
Another skill error by the Bombers has been punished by the Crows who have scored 103 points from turnovers. Jake Soligo has launched five scores today for the Crows and his nine score involvements include two goals in the final quarter.
33:01
SCORE GOAL - Bombers (Zach Merrett)
34:35
SCORE GOAL - Crows (Josh Rachele)
35:56
This is now the highest score that the Bombers have conceded at the MCG since Round 19, 2011 when Collingwood scored 166 points.
36:36
An emphatic victory for the Crows who owned the ball with 129-59 marks and 77 per cent kicking efficiency to 60 per cent for the Bombers. Adelaide was able to rest talisman Izak Rankine in the second half and still posted a massive 161 points with seven players kicking multiple goals.