Tex returns

Veteran Crow Taylor Walker made a four-goal return for the Crows after serving a six-week suspension for making racist remarks. He had a particular impact early on,when Elliot Himmelberg and Lachlan Gollant were quiet. Walker booted two goals in the first half,but Himmelberg and Gollant lifted just before half-time,Himmelberg slotting one to leave the Crows just eight points down at the main break.

Bombers’ rucks rally

Essendon’s rucks won them the first quarter,dominating the hitouts and clearances,including six to two from the centre bounce.

Sam Durham opened the Bombers’ account,before the in-form Peter Wright converted a set shot. The Crows replied through James Rowe and Walker respectively.

Alec Waterman responded for the Bombers in his first AFL game for the season,and then the arm wrestle continued as Josh Rachele slotted one to level the scores.

Another major apiece left the crowd with whiplash. Nic Martin once again proved his worth for the Bombers,involved in four scoring chains from his six early disposals.

Lachlan Sholl found the Crows one to leave them only seven points behind at the first break.

Crows capitalise on Bombers’ mistakes

Essendon had a kicking efficiency of 78 per cent compared to Adelaide’s 58 in the second term,but they struggled to show it on the scoreboard,missing many of their opportunities.

Crow Rachele slotted his second for the day as he stood alone in the forward 50 but Essendon fought back,thanks in no small part to Mason Redman.

Walker booted his second for the day to the Crows’ delight,before Wright found his third.

When Bombers big man Sam Draper’s ill-discipline gave the Crows a 50-metre penalty,Rowe slotted his second.

But Waterman sought redemption after the siren,booting a major to leave the Bombers eight points up at the main break.

Rachele roars

Eighteen-year-old Rachele showed he’s settled in well at West Lakes,slotting a third goal in the third term. The No.6 pick from the 2021 AFL draft finished the day with three goals,19 disposals and nine marks.

Nail-biting finish

The third term was all Adelaide’s early,a major from Ned McHenry opening the floodgates for both Rachele and Walker to storm right through.

Jye Caldwell handed Matt Guelfi the ball 35 metres out and he slotted one to make it two points the difference,but a missed opportunity left the Bombers just five points up at the final break.

Himmelberg opened the fourth term with a set shot,putting the Crows within a point. Essendon scrambled in their left forward pocket,eventually managing a major off the boot of livewire small Devon Smith.

The highly rated Archie Perkins slotted his second for the day but when Walker booted his fourth it was back to a four-point margin.

The crowd found their voice and Essendon’s desperation was palpable,but Draper sealed the deal to audible relief from the red and black faithful. Gollant threatened to take the win from them with two minutes to go,but they held the four-point lead to the siren.

Promising signs

As well as Stringer,Essendon were also without defender James Stewart with a calf injury,Tom Cutler due to health and safety protocols,and Zach Merrett and Kyle Langford who are expected to be out for two and three months,respectively.

But Caracella was happy with the players who stepped up in their absence.

“Tex Wanganeen,[Alec] Waterman,[Matt] Guelfi,[Brayden] Ham,players who have been around the club for a little bit of time get a chance to actually show what they can do and potentially fast-track their careers and when we get the other players back,we’ve got some depth and hard decisions to make.”

ESSENDON

5.3 9.6 12.11 15.13 (103)

ADELAIDE

4.2 8.4 12.6 15.9 (99)

GOALS
ESSENDON:Wright 3,Perkins 2,Waterman 2,Caldwell,Draper,Durham,Guelfi,Martin,Phillips,Redman,Smith.ADELAIDE:Walker 4,Rachele 3,Himmelberg 2,Rowe 2,Gollant,Keays,McHenry,Sholl.

BEST
ESSENDON:Parish,Caldwell,Hind,McGrath,Wright,Waterman.ADELAIDE:Laird,Keays,Dawson,Crouch,Rachele,Walker.