From our biggest finals victory to celebrating iconic milestones, there have been many memorable moments from our 42 clashes against Essendon.

Here are some of our favourites.

Biggest finals win – Elimination Final, 2009

Following a strong 2009 Home and Away season, Adelaide found itself matched-up against Essendon in a do-or-die Elimination Final.  

It was a tense opening quarter with both sides going goal-for-goal, and the Crows held a narrow six-point lead at the first change.

From that point onwards it was all Adelaide who piled on an eight-goal second term to push its advantage out to 39 points at half time.

The Crows continued to run rampant in the second half, adding 14 majors to the Essendon’s five to run out a commanding 96-point victor.

The margin set the record for Adelaide’s biggest win in a final and the 166 points scored is the largest the Crows have recorded in September.

Former Crow Jason Porplyzia led the way up forward, kicking a game-high five goals to go along with 12 touches, six marks and six tackles.

Adelaide’s set record for highest ever score – Round 10, 2006

In Round 10, 2006 Adelaide recorded a Club record 188 points when it smashed the Bombers by 138 points at AAMI Stadium in Andrew McLeod’s 250^th game.  

While the Crows were dominant early, leading by 52 points at half-time, it was in the second half where they truly flexed their muscles, kicking 17 goals.

Ten of those came in the final term, with a late Ken McGregor major ensuring Adelaide eclipsed its previous scoring record of 185, which occurred against Richmond at Football Park in Round 17, 1997.

McLeod put on a show in his milestone game, tallying 18 disposals and soaring for a memorable grab over Bombers defender Henry Slattery.

Former Crow Trent Hentschel was the star of the night up forward kicking a career-high eight goals.

While Skipper Mark Ricciuto led from the front, amassing 31 disposals, 13 marks, nine inside 50s and kicked three goals.

Adelaide’s goal kicking accuracy was on full display throughout the game, managing 30 majors from 38 scoring shots.

Third quarter blitz - Round 19, 2012

In Round 19, 2012 Adelaide put on a dominant display in the third quarter to turn its fortunes around and steal a four-point victory.

The Crows found themselves with their backs against the wall at half-time trailing by 22 points.

Undeterred by the Bombers strong start, Adelaide came out for the third quarter aggressive, kicking seven goals to flip the game around and lead by six points going into the final change.

The Bombers did not lay down however, hitting the front on numerous occasions in what was a thrilling last quarter.

In the end it was forward Taylor Walker who proved to be the match winner for Adelaide, booting two fourth quarter goals and four for the game.

Patrick Dangerfield starred through the midfield, amassing 29 disposals, six inside 50s, 11 clearances and kicking three majors.

Crows put Bombers to the sword with dominant second half – Round 20, 2015

In Round 20, 2015 Adelaide delivered a commanding performance to thrash Essendon by 112 points and record its biggest win of the season.

The Crows took a while to get going early, as they found themselves unable to match Essendon’s pressure and subsequently six points down at the first change.  

But they were quick to fix their mistakes after quarter time, keeping the Bombers goalless while piling on six themselves to lead by 30 points at the main break.

Adelaide only got better as the game went on booting another seven goals in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was where the Crows made their statement, kicking 11 goals to two, along with booting the final nine goals of the game.

Small forward Eddie Betts finished with a bag of five goals along with four marks inside 50, while Rory Sloane amassed 24 disposals, 11 tackles, seven marks and kicked two majors.

The 112-point win was interim Adelaide Coach, Scott Camporeale’s largest victory at the helm.

Adelaide steals one late – Round 12, 1998 

In Round 12, 1998 Adelaide and Essendon battled it out in a Saturday night nailbiter, with the Crows able to comeback late to narrowly win by two points.

Just a kick separated the two sides at the end of the first two quarters, with Essendon being the slightly more accurate side.

The Crows fought hard to try and get the game on their terms in the third, booting seven goals, however Essendon kept up the pressure with five goals of its own.

With six minutes left in the game, Adelaide found itself nine points behind and needed to quickly respond if they were any chance of winning the game.

Defender Ben Hart gave the Crows the belief, slotting a goal to put Adelaide within a kick with four minutes remaining.

Adelaide had multiple chances to take the lead in the final minutes however did it the hard way, kicking four straight behinds to earn a tough win.

Brett James collected 30 disposals, four inside 50s and nine clearances, while Matthew Robran had 23 touches and kicked three goals.

Nigel Smart stood tall down back, laying 10 tackles and recording six rebound 50s.