Adelaide suffered a tough 63-point loss in its Round 17 clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

The Bombers proved too strong, winning 11.18 (84) to 2.9 (21).

Paul Seedsman and Rory Laird were among the Crows' best, but they lacked a target up forward in the absence of injured veteran Taylor Walker.

Harry Schoenberg held Darcy Parish well, while also booting a goal for the visitors.

It was an underwhelming start to the contest, with a goalless opening quarter looming before Cale Hooker broke the deadlock at the 24-minute mark. 

Stringer followed up with a second shortly after to give the Bombers a 15-point advantage.

Adelaide notched its first goal at the 22-minute mark of the second term through a crafty snap from Harry Schoenberg.

But Archie Perkins' two quick goals deep in the term helped steer the Bombers to a 35-point break at half-time and there was no coming back from there for the Crows.

ADELAIDE: 0.2  1.3  2.7  2.9  (21)
ESSENDON: 2.5  6.8  9.12  11.18  (84)

GOALS  
Adelaide: Schoenberg, Murphy
Essendon: Perkins 3, Wright 2, Hooker, Jones, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Snelling, Stringer, Waterman

BEST
Adelaide: Laird, Seedsman, Smith, Schoenberg 
Essendon: Merrett, Redman, Ridley, Perkins, Hind, Snelling

INJURIES
Adelaide: Himmelberg (illness) replaced in selected side by Will Hamill, Tom Doedee (concussion)
Essendon: Kyle Langford (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Ben Davis (replaced Tom Doedee in the second quarter)
Essendon: Brayden Ham (replaced Kyle Langford in the fourth quarter)