A late Nic Martin long bomb has given Essendon a comeback three-point win against Adelaide in a thriller.
Martin launched from 55m on the run for the final goal, as the Bombers prevailed 10.18 (78) to 11.9 (75) at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Martin's strike with about eight minutes left put the visitors six points up.
The Bombers then held on bravely despite a series of Adelaide attacks.
Adelaide's Jake Soligo continued his breakout form in the midfield with 31 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal.
His Captain Jordan Dawson was superb with 31 touches, two goals and nine tackles, while backman Mitch Hinge (25 possessions) had patches of influence.
The Bombers started brightly and held a slight edge at quarter-time, 2.4 to 2.2.
Essendon's early efforts were largely built by skipper Zach Merrett, who dominated the opening term with 13 disposals and four clearances.
The visitors then cashed in with three consecutive goals, and when Jake Stringer snapped accurately they held a 22 point lead.
But Adelaide clawed its way back in to the contest with captain Dawson scoring two of the Crows' three unanswered goals.
Crow Darcy Fogarty had a shot after the half-time siren to level scores but missed with Essendon holding a 31-16 inside-50 advantage, up 5.9 to 5.4 at the long break.
The third quarter swung wildly, with Fogarty triggering a four-goal burst in nine minutes.
Adelaide's scoring spurt created a 19-point lead but just when the Bombers appeared down and almost out, they rallied.
The ever-lively Jones snared his second goal and his dangerous teammate Langford then scored two late majors - his set-shot on the siren gave the Bombers a three-point buffer.
Essendon crept five points up until the 10th minute of the last quarter when Adelaide's Ben Keays goaled after a free kick to give the home side a one-point lead.
Crow livewire Izak Rankine soon produced a snap from heavy traffic which bounced through for a seven-point break with 12 minutes left.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE 2.2 5.4 9.5 11.9 (75)
ESSENDON 2.4 5.9 8.14 10.18 (78)
GOALS
Adelaide: Dawson 2, Keays 2, Walker, Jones, Fogarty, Soligo, Rachele, McHenry, Rankine
Essendon: Jones 2, Langford 2, Gresham, Parish, Hobbs, Stringer, Merrett, Martin
BEST
Adelaide: Dawson, Soligo, Hinge, O'Brien, Rachele
Essendon: Merrett, Martin, Caldwell, Hobbs, Gresham
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Lachlan Sholl (replaced Sam Berry in the third quarter)
Essendon: Elijah Tsatas (replaced Nick Hind in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: TBC at Adelaide Oval
