Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows Verdict
Another heavy defeat is in store for struggling Essendon Bombers, who lost by 93 points last week. The Crows should expose the same defensive problems and comfortably win this one with Wayne Milera and Jordan Dawson to be the stars of the show.
Head to Head
Adelaide have won the past two matches between the two sides with the most recent coming way back in Round 2 last season, a match that went the way of the Crows by 61 points.
The Bombers have won four of the past five between the two sides at Marvel Stadium.
Essendon Bombers Form - Horror Show
Essendon enjoyed their second win of the season when knocking over GWS a fortnight ago by three points but copped a reality check last weekend, going down by 93 points to Hawthorn at the MCG.
They were smashed in the disposal count 462-302, leading to 68 inside 50s to 38. Nate Caddy was solid up forward with three goals from limited opportunities, while Peter Wright booted two.
Caddy has kicked 2+ goals in four of his past five matches. Zach Merret was their leading disposal winner with 22 but nine Hawks had higher than that figure.
The Bombers are struggling to impact the scoreboard and are averaging 56 points per game since Dean Solomon took over the coaching reigns from Brad Scott.
They concede more disposals than any other side in the competition, with opposition midfielders racking up big numbers in recent times.
Adelaide Crows Form - Bounce Back Time
Adelaide were given a bit of a reality check last weekend by Collingwood when the Magpies kicked clear in the second half of the Adelaide Oval encounter to win by 34.
They had won six of seven heading into that match and were coming off a win against Sydney in Sydney.
The Crows were unable to handle Collingwood’s pressure and were denied freedom from defensive 50, achieving an inside forward 50 just three times from 34 defensive 50 chains and were unable to score from the zone. The last time they were scoreless from the zone was Round 18, 2024.
The Crows have won their past three matches outside of Adelaide this season, including their Round 19 win over the Sydney Swans, for a 5-3 record.
They have taken out their past five at Marvel Stadium and were 57-point winners against the Western Bulldogs at their only visit to the venue this season.
Essendon vs Adelaide Crows Team News
The Bombers swing at least five changes, recalling Kyle Langford and Nick Bryan while Zach Johnson, Elijah Tsatas, Archie Perkins and Vigo Visentini have also been added to the squad. Jordan Ridley headlines a lengthy list of outs through injury and omission.
For the Crows, Archie Ludowyke and Oscar Ryan will both make their AFL debuts, while Mark Keane also returns from injury. Wayne Milera, James Peatling and Sam Berry are unavailable, with Finnbar Maley omitted.