ADELAIDE has claimed a frantic four-point win over Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Trailing by 28 points just before half-time, the Crows booted seven goals to three in the third quarter to set up the 16.8 (104) to 15.10 (100) win and second place on the ladder.
It was a crucial win for Adelaide, all but assuring it a spot inside the top four.
The Bombers, however, have their spot in the eight hanging by a thread, ahead of Fremantle only on percentage and facing a tough run home.
Dangerfield was best on ground though Crows skipper Nathan Van Berlo was inspirational and had good support from ruckman Sam Jacobs and defender Daniel Talia.
Forward Taylor Walker kicked four goals.
For Essendon Leroy Jetta starred while Jason Winderlich kicked four goals before leaving the field injured in the third quarter.
Essendon jumped Adelaide in the first quarter and, despite kicking into the breeze, raced to a 22-point lead mid-way through the term.
But the Crows fought back kicking three of the last four goals, including one squeezed through from the boundary by Van Berlo, to trail by just eight points at the first break.
The Crows showed more resolve in the second term, matching Winderlich's second major with a goal to Dangerfield.
But then it was all Essendon as it piled on three goals in a row including a third to Winderlich and a long-range shot from Michael Hurley which bounced through as the Crows left the goalsquare unguarded.
Only a great contested mark and goal to Patrick Dangerfield right on the half-time siren halted the Bombers' run and limited the home side's deficit.
The home side hit the front for the first time in the match mid-way through the third quarter and activated sub Richard Tambling for Jason Porplyzia (shoulder).
The home side took a seven-point lead into the final break and though Essendon had most of the play, managed to hold on, the victory sealed with Walker's fourth major.
The loss was made worse for the Dons with Jason Winderlich and Ben Howlett both going down with suspected hamstring injuries.
It continues a spate of soft tissue injuries for the side in 2012.
ADELAIDE 4.2 6.3 13.7 16.8 (104)
ESSENDON 5.4 9.7 12.7 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 4, Dangerfield 3, Johncock, Jenkins 2, Jacobs, Sloane, Porplyzia, Riley, van Berlo
Essendon: Winderlich 4, Browne, Gumbleton 2, Colyer, Dempsey, Davey, Hurley, Jetta, Lonergan, Watson
BEST
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloane, Talia, Douglas, Walker
Essendon: Watson, Dempsey, Lovett-Murray, Browne, Carlisle, Heppell
INJURIES
Adelaide: Porplyzia (shoulder)
Essendon: Howlett (hamstring), Winderlich (hamstring)
Substitutes
Adelaide: Richard Tambling replaced Jason Porplyzia in the third quarter.
Essendon: Henry Slattery replaced Ben Howlett in the second quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Kamolins, Hay
Official crowd: 40,030 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
