Crows small forwards Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron have combined for nine goals in a percentage boosting 82-point win over Essendon at Adelaide Oval.

But Sunday's victory may have come at a cost, with ruckman Sam Jacobs suffering an ankle injury early in the second quarter of the 22.11 (143) to 9.7 (61) win at Adelaide Oval.

Jacobs didn't return to the field after landing awkwardly on his left ankle, and later emerged from the sidelines on crutches.

Injury Update: Sam Jacobs

It was a rare sore point for the Crows, who were hardly troubled by an outmatched and overawed Essendon.

Crows coach Don Pyke said he hoped any mental drop-off late in games wouldn't become a consistent occurrence but that he was happy with the bulk of what he saw.

"It's certainly not something we're coaching and again it's something we'll discuss with the playing group," he said.

"They now clearly understand the importance of playing our style of footy and playing it for the whole 120 minutes and that's what we're coaching.

"We went away from that for the last five minutes today and it's cost us three goals late, but off the backdrop of a really good solid win."

The Bombers showed the right signs early on, winning the most clearances and inside 50s in the first quarter.

But the difference in skill levels between the two sides was telling.

Plenty of Essendon's forward entries ended up in the hands of Rory Laird (36 touches) and Kyle Cheney (seven marks, 13 touches), whose quality rebounding drove Adelaide forward time and again.

Bombers coach John Worsfold said he was pleased with the way his side finished, kicking four of the last five goals.

"In the first quarter we really took it up to them, really made them work hard.

"Then they really put their foot on it in the next couple of quarters and we couldn't match them but we fought on I thought.

"Really pleased with how the players stuck to the task."

The Crows stepped on the gas in the second quarter to open up a 45-point lead at half-time.

From there, it was party time for the 44,264 home crowd.

The Crows kicked seven majors to Essendon's one in the third quarter as maestro Betts (five goals) and apprentice Cameron (four) added to their tallies.

Even key defender Kyle Hartigan got in on the act, booting a goal for the first time in his four seasons in the AFL after winning a 50-metre penalty.

The Crows' midfielders were challenged by coach Don Pyke during the week to lift their performance after a lacklustre showing against Geelong.

Led by the brilliant Rory Sloane (33 touches, nine inside 50s) and Brad Crouch (31 touches), they didn't disappoint.

The Five: Round 19 v Essendon

For the Bombers, few stood up under pressure.

Young midfielder Zach Merrett continued his outstanding season with 31 disposals, while skipper Brendon Goddard toiled hard.

Spearhead Joe Daniher worked tirelessly up the ground and was rewarded with four goals and 11 marks.

The win puts the Crows into fifth place on the ladder, equal on points with Greater Western Sydney, the Sydney Swans and Geelong.

MEDICAL ROOM
Adelaide: Sam Jacobs appeared in all sorts of trouble when he landed awkwardly and rolled his ankle, but the early news is that he could play next week. Taylor Walker is set to train on Wednesday and is also expected to face the Brisbane Lions.
Essendon: The Bombers finished the game with no injuries.

NEXT UP
Adelaide takes on the Brisbane Lions and with just 0.1 per cent separating the Crows (fifth) from fourth-placed Geelong, they need to win big to ensure another percentage boost. The Bombers take on the Cats – only enhancing the need for Adelaide to annihilate the Lions.


ADELAIDE   5.2   11.7   18.10   21.11 (143)
ESSENDON   2.3    4.4    5.6    9.7 (61)

GOALS
Adelaide: Betts 5, Cameron, McGovern 4, Seedsman, Jenkins, Douglas 2, Lyons, Sloane, Hartigan
Essendon: Daniher 4, Laverde 2, Fantasia, Cooney, Langford

BEST
Adelaide: Laird, Sloane, Betts, Brad Crouch, McGovern, Thompson
Essendon: Merrett, Goddard, Daniher, Cooney, Parish

INJURIES
Adelaide: Jacobs (ankle)
Essendon: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Farmer, Edwards, Mollison

Official crowd: 44,264 at Adelaide Oval