Round One
Adelaide v Essendon
Friday, March 22 at 8:10pm (SA time)
AAMI Stadium
 

Tickets to Friday night’s opening round match with Essendon at AAMI Stadium are now available at afc.com.au/tickets

Latest news
Bombers name key duo, debutant
Essendon has named underdone pair David Zaharakis and Jake Melksham, and debutant Nick Kommer for Friday night's clash with Adelaide.
See full team below
 

Out of action (Estimates only)
Jason Winderlich (groin) – TBC

Essendon’s recent form
N/A

Recent form against Adelaide
2012, Round 19, Adelaide 16.8 (104) d Essendon 15.10 (100), AAMI Stadium
2011, Round 17, Essendon 12.12 (84) d Adelaide 10.13 (73), AAMI Stadium
2010, Round 14, Adelaide 19.10 (124) d Essendon 5.10 (40), AAMI Stadium
2009, Elimination Final, Adelaide 26.10 (166) d Essendon 10.10 (70), AAMI Stadium
2009, Round 11, Adelaide 21.4 (130) d Essendon 18.6 (114), Etihad Stadium

Team
B: Mark Baguley, Cale Hooker, Michael Hibberd
HB: Brendon Goddard, Dustin Fletcher, Jake Carlisle
C: Courtenay Dempsey, Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell
HF: David Zaharakis, Patrick Ryder, Stewart Crameri
F: Alwyn Davey, Michael Hurley, Nick Kommer
FOLL: Tom Bellchambers, Brent Stanton, Ben Howlett
INT: Jackson Merrett, Jake Melksham, Heath Hocking, David Myers
EMERG: Leroy Jetta, Elliott Kavanagh, Kyle Hardingham

Stats that matter
The Bombers hold a narrow lead in the overall win-loss ledger against Adelaide, having claimed 16 wins from 31 matches between the two teams. However, the Crows have won six of the past seven meetings by an average margin of 43.5 points.

Patrick Dangerfield starred in Adelaide’s thrilling win over Essendon last season, amassing 29 possessions and three goals. However, it wasn’t enough to earn the influential Crow best afield honours from the umpires. Eventual Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson (31 possessions and one goal) took home the three votes and Courtenay Dempsey (27 possessions) two votes, leaving Danger with one.

Essendon is the tallest team in the competition this season, with an average height of 188.9cm. In contrast, the Crows have the shortest primary list (186.3cm).

Nathan van Berlo will captain the Crows for the 50^th time against Essendon on Friday night. The match will be his 66^th in succession.

The biggest-ever crowd for a game between Adelaide and Essendon was 50,393 for the Elimination Final at AAMI Stadium in 2009. The Crows won the match by 96 points.

Forward Trent Hentschel holds the record for most Crows goals against the Bombers. ‘Rowdy’ Hentschel kicked eight in Adelaide’s 138-point win over the Bombers in Round 10, 2006.

The Bombers have added eight new faces to their senior list for the 2013 season; Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Jason Ashby (National Draft), Joe Daniher (Father-Son), Martin Gleeson (National Draft), Sean Gregory (National Draft), Will Hams (Pre-Season Draft), Nick Kommer (National Draft) and Dylan van Unen (National Draft).

News bites
 

Bombers to unveil debutant – AFL.com.au

Hird confirmed star Bombers Michael Hurley (ankle) and David Zaharakis (quad) would play against the Crows at AAMI Stadium on Friday night and said forward Nick Kommer would make his debut. The coach described Kommer, a 22-year-old recruited at last year's NAB AFL Draft, as a "terrific kid who loves the occasion." Zaharakis could be used as a substitute after having only one hit-out ahead of the home and away season.

Bombers brace for hostility – AFL.com.au
ESSENDON players are bracing for a hostile reception both on the field and from over the fence when they take on Adelaide in Friday night's season opener.

Zaharakis set for Round One return – The Herald Sun
ESSENDON midfielder David Zaharakis is in line to play Friday night's opening game despite a severely restricted preparation. Zaharakis could be named in the Bombers' 22 to play Adelaide with less than a full game under his belt since the end of last season. The 2011 best and fairest winner pulled up sound after playing three quarters of a VFL trial game at the club's new training headquarters near Melbourne airport last Friday night. It was his first match practice since he reinjured a thigh muscle during training in January, forcing him to sit out the entire NAB Cup series.

Gumbleton slots five in practice match – AFL.com.au
A FIVE-goal haul in a VFL practice game has put Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton in contention to play in the club's round-one meeting with Adelaide next week.