Rory Laird was the leading possession winner at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night with 36 at 80.6 per cent efficiency. He also generated five rebound 50ms and kicked a goal. Only Collingwood onballer Taylor Adams (39) had more touches than Laird in Round Four.
Laird accumulated 22 handball receives, one fewer than Geelong half-forward Steven Motlop.
Fellow defender Brodie Smith collected 33 disposals – one short of his career-high – and kicked a goal, while midfielder Matt Crouch continued to find plenty of the Sherrin (30 touches).
Smith gained 707 metres against Essendon – ranked third for the round.
Rory Sloane applied a game-high nine tackles and won eight clearances – the equal-most of any player on Saturday night.
The Crows vice-captain also led the way for inside 50ms with eight. He finished with 34 possessions and kicked two goals. He also had nine hard-ball gets, ranked joint-second for the round.
Despite being in front on the scoreboard, Adelaide won the tackle count, 60 – 48.
Eddie Betts equalled his best goal haul as a Crow with six and also amassed 22 possessions – his most in a match for Adelaide. The crafty forward took five marks inside attacking 50m.
Betts is joint-leader of the Coleman Medal with 16 goals – level with big Cat Tom Hawkins.
The two-time All Australian has kicked 117 goals at Adelaide Oval. Captain Taylor Walker is second for goals at the venue with 86, while Josh Jenkins is third (79).
Another forward, Riley Knight, recorded a career-high disposal tally, gathering 20 at 90 per cent efficiency. Second-year wingman Wayne Milera Junior had 19 touches at 89.5 per cent efficiency.
Walker, who kicked five first-half goals, took an equal-game high 10 marks. He also assisted in four goals – more than any other player in the AFL on the weekend.
Walker (five) was one of six Crows to kick multiple goals against Essendon. Betts bagged six, while Tom Lynch, swingman Andy Otten and midfielders Rory Sloane and Rory Atkins each slotted two.
Adelaide’s score of 24.9 (143) was the Club’s highest this season, and second best by any club.
The Crows kicked 9.2 (56) in the first quarter to record their best opening term against the Bombers, and second-best opening term in Club history.
Adelaide's score of 96 points at half time was the Club's fifth-highest ever in a first half.
The Crows kicked a goal from 38.1 per cent of their forward 50m entries – ranked No.1 in Round Four.
Adelaide had the second best goalkicking efficiency of the round, converting at 75 per cent.
By beating Essendon, Adelaide equalled its best-ever start to a season 4 – 0. The Club has won four straight games to start a season only once before (1996).
The Crows currently sit second on the AFL ladder, percentage behind Geelong.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs laid four forward 50m tackles – ranked equal-second for the round.
Charlie Cameron took seven running bounces – more than any other player on the weekend.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 413
Essendon – 457
Disposal efficiency
Adelaide – 77%
Essendon – 75%
Kicks
Adelaide – 209
Essendon – 226
Handballs
Adelaide – 207
Essendon – 228
Clearances
Adelaide – 39
Essendon – 39
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 63
Essendon – 47
Contested possessions
Adelaide – 157
Essendon – 142
Uncontested possessions
Adelaide – 254
Essendon – 312
Tackles
Adelaide – 60
Essendon – 48
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 39
Essendon – 45
