The Bombers caught the Crows on the hop with four of the game's first five goals and never relinquished the advantage, winning 16.9 (105) to 10.14 (74) in front of a crowd of 43,064.
Adding to Adelaide's difficulties was a corked thigh for acting captain Simon Goodwin, who was not seen after quarter-time.
Scott Thompson, Tyson Edwards and Nathan Bock (three goals) worked hard for Adelaide, their efforts undermined by poor disposal and problems up forward.
"Our finishing on goal was substandard, so we need to recognise that," coach Neil Craig said.
"We need to fix that up very quickly, otherwise it'll cause a lot of people a lot of frustration, some of the positions we were in, and the results we got, that's not good enough."
Craig had said during the week that he was unsure what would happen against Essendon, despite the Crows' imposing recent record over the Bombers.
His concerns proved to be valid as the visitors showed all the verve and energy missing in 2006 to grab a nine-point quarter-time lead.
Further problems were evident up forward, as Ian Perrie was out of sorts and Scott Welsh was blanketed by Fletcher and Michael.
The Bombers were up by as much as 28 points 11 minutes into the second term, but goals to Bock and Brett Burton stemmed the flow somewhat by halftime.
Any momentum Adelaide had gathered after the break was scotched by inaccuracy in front of goal, allowing the Bombers to again stretch their lead.
A Ben Rutten turnover handed a goal to Adam McPhee, Andrew Lovett ran onto the end of a rapid defensive rebound, and Jetta made a telling contribution by setting up Lucas' fifth then converted his own free kick after being crudely barreled over by Nathan Bassett.
Up by 24 points at the last change, the Bombers were challenged when Adelaide cut the margin in half, but Lucas' seventh goal, from outside 50 and into the breeze, settled the matter.
ESSENDON 5.1 8.3 12.8 16.9 (105)
ADELAIDE 3.4 5.9 7.14 10.14 (74)
Goals: Essendon: S Lucas 7 M Lloyd 2 L Jetta 2 A Welsh M Johnson A Lovett D Hille A McPhee. Adelaide: N Bock 3 B Burton 2 S Thompson 2 I Perrie C Knights N Van Berlo.
Best: Essendon: S Lucas M Johnson D Hille D Fletcher J Hird L Jetta M McVeigh B Stanton. Adelaide: S Thompson C Knights N Bock R Shirley.
Umpires: L Farmer H Kennedy M Avon.
Crowd: 43,064 at AAMI Stadium.
Injuries: Essendon: Nil. Adelaide: S Goodwin (badly corked thigh) N Bock (corked thigh) N Bassett (cut head).
Reports: A Davey (Essendon) reported by field umpire M Avon for forceful contact on M Mattner (Adelaide) in the second quarter.
