With inspirational captain James Hird off the field after suffering two heavy knocks to the head, the Bombers struggled to shake off the tough physical pressure applied by the Crows and led by just 11 points at half time.
But in an awesome display after the long break Essendon booted 11 goals to five and won 18.14.122 to 11.7.73.
Most of the Crows' second half tally came late in the game as they tried to prevent the scoreline completely blowing out.
Essendon full-forward Matthew Lloyd kicked his 400th career goal and finished with six for the night, giving him 50 for the season, while midfielder Jason Johnson and defender Mark Johnson were also outstanding.
Adelaide challenged the league's top team early and led by 12 points midway through the first term, but three goals to Essendon in four minutes just before halftime swung the balance of the game the Bombers way.
Essendon then booted six unanswered goals either side of the main break and outscored Adelaide six goals to two in the third term, to kill off the game.
There were several spiteful incidents during the tough contest and the umpires' video review could send a couple of players to the tribunal.
Essendon youngster Judd Lalich (concussion) and Adelaide key position player Matthew Robran (knee) joined Hird as casualties from the game.
Midfielders Simon Goodwin and Andrew McLeod and defenders Mark Stevens and Robert Shirley were best for Adelaide.
Essendon rookie Damien Peverill, who debuted brilliantly in the last two months, led the team from the field after probably his last game for the season.
Salary cap constraints will mean Peverill goes off the senior list in the next week as more experienced players return from injury.
Scoreboard:
ESSENDON: 3.3, 7.6, 13.10, 18.14 (122)
ADELAIDE: 3.1, 6.1, 8.4, 11.7 (73)
Goals: Essendon M Lloyd 6 D Rioli 3 C McGrath 2 S Lucas 2 J Johnson 2 S Wellman McVeigh J Hird. Adelaide: P Vardy 3 D Jarman 2 A McLeod 2 K Johnson M Clarke S Welsh M Stevens.
Best: Essendon: J Johnson M Lloyd M Johnson S Wellman P Barnard D Peverill. Adelaide: S Goodwin N Stevens R Shirley A McLeod.
Umpires: D Goldspink D Morris D Woodcock.
Official crowd: 38,816 at Colonial Stadium.
