Adelaide’s 112-point victory over Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon was the Club’s biggest-ever win in Melbourne.
It was the seventh-biggest win in the Crows’ history, and second-highest against the Bombers. Adelaide’s biggest-ever victory was 139 points against Richmond in Round 16, 1993. The Club’s best win over Essendon was 138 points in Round 10, 2006.
The win was Adelaide’s fourth from its last five matches, lifting the Club to eighth place on the AFL ladder – one game and percentage ahead of the ninth-placed Geelong.
It was the Crows’ first win over Essendon at Etihad Stadium since Round 11, 2009. Five of Adelaide’s 11 wins this season have been away from home.
The Club’s score of 27.9 (171) was the second biggest by a team this season, and Adelaide’s second-highest score at Etihad Stadium. The Club’s biggest score at the venue was 27.14 (176) against Carlton in Round 22, 2009.
Adelaide’s final-quarter score of 11.1 (67) was the Club’s highest-ever in a fourth quarter, eclipsing the previous best of 10.4 (64) against Greater Western Sydney in Round 16, 2012. The Crows’ highest-ever score in a single quarter was 14.2 (86) against Fitzroy in Round 17, 1996.
The Crows had 14 different goalkickers against the Bombers – a season high for the Club.
Eddie Betts booted a match-high five goals. His fifth goal, a brilliant set shot from a tight angle in the fourth quarter, was also his 100th as a Crow. Betts is the 26th player to reach the goalkicking ton for the Adelaide Football Club.
The goal haul moved Betts into outright third spot in the Coleman Medal race with 49. West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy is the runaway leader with 64 goals ahead of Giant Jeremy Cameron on 51.
The Crows kicked 12 unanswered goals either side of the half-time break to set up the big win.
In-form defender Rory Laird was Adelaide’s leading possession-getter on Saturday. Laird collected 31 disposals, including a Round 20-high 29 uncontested, to go with nine marks, eight rebound 50ms (ranked third in the AFL in Round 20) and three tackles.
Only Richmond playmaker Bachar Houli (22) had more kicks than Laird (21) for the round. Laird also had 19 handball receives – ranked second in the AFL on the weekend. He also kept his direct opponent goalless.
Patrick Dangerfield had a Round 20-high nine inside 50ms against Essendon. Dangerfield also had 27 possessions at 81.5 per cent efficiency, laid six tackles and won five clearances to go with his three goals.
Forward Tom Lynch took a game-high 10 marks. Lynch also kicked two goals and had three goal assists with his 26 disposals.
Sam Jacobs dominated the ruck battle, winning 38 hit-outs – more than the Essendon team (31). Jacobs also picked up 18 possessions and took nine marks, including an equal-round high four contested. The influential big man kicked a goal and set up another two.
Scott Thompson continued his clearance-winning ways, amassing an equal-game high seven.
Brodie Smith was damaging across half-back, generating 10 rebound 50ms – more than any other player in the League in Round 20. Smith also won 20 possessions and kicked a trademark long-range goal.
Rory Sloane laid a game-high 11 tackles. Sloane also collected 24 possessions at 91.7 per cent efficiency – the best of any Crow.
Captain Taylor Walker took six marks on the lead on the weekend – the equal-most of any player in the competition in Round 20.
A week after limiting Richmond star Jack Riewoldt to one goal from a season-low seven possessions and zero marks, All Australian full back Daniel Talia kept Essendon’s leading goalkicker Joe Daniher goalless.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 368
Richmond – 308
Kicks
Adelaide – 233
Essendon – 215
Handballs
Adelaide – 153
Essendon – 169
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 19
Essendon – 20
Clearances
Adelaide – 38
Essendon – 43
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 67
Essendon – 50
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 140
Essendon – 130
Tackles
Adelaide – 49
Essendon – 57
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 49
Essendon – 31
