Bombers finish with a rush to down Crows

The Bombers' triple trades trumped Adelaide's recruiting of Bryce Gibbs as Essendon opened their account with a come from behind win over a depleted Adelaide in a tight encounter at Etihad Stadium.

But it was stalwarts Brendon Goddard, Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley who lifted the Bombers to kick six goals to one in the final quarter to win by 12 points.

Cale Hooker puts the Bombers in front in the last term.
Photo: AAP

It appeared to be Adelaide's game at three-quarter-time after Gibbs tilted the game the Crows' way when he kicked Adelaide's opening two goals in the second half.

His classy finishing inspired his new teammates to bang on seven goals in the third quarter as Essendon's pressure dropped.

The veteran looked like Neil Young joining Crosby, Stills and Nash as he worked in harmony with Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch and Richard Douglas in the middle.

By contrast the young Bombers' midfield retreated into their shells, shocked at the loss of tough on-baller Zach Merrett who was out of the game due to concussion before quarter-time.

But after three-quarter-time the Bombers flicked a switch, with Hurley controlling the defence and Goddard and Heppell leading the way, their youngsters Andrew McGrath and Conor McKenna exploded to run over the Crows, who were missing seven players from the team that won last year's qualifying final.

They found space and ran in waves and began to take their chances inside 50 kicking 6.5 in the final quarter with the crowd lifting.

Richard Douglas was reported after collecting Zach Merrett.
Photo: AAP

Devon Smith was the best of the talented trio that joined Essendon during the trade period, playing as a mid-forward.

With his fitness back he has quickly slotted into the role that requires him to be clean in tight and his pressure was good.

Stringer burst out of the blocks with the first clearance and a high mark deep in the Crows' goal square within the first two minutes.

Zach Merrett was forced from the ground after a head knock.
Photo: AAP

He not only showed some tricks but he worked hard when outnumbered but finished the game without a goal.

Adam Saad had the job on Adelaide talisman Eddie Betts, which meant he did not venture on his searching runs as normal until Betts went into the middle after half-time.

He stuck tight, restricting Betts, who remained dangerous throughout when the ball hit the ground.

The Bombers' win was even more meritorious as they were without Merrett for three quarters.

Crows' veteran Richard Douglas was reported for the bump he laid on Merrett, collecting the Essendon midfielder as he tried to pick up a loose ball late and leaving him motionless on the ground.

It came moments after the pair had stood toe to toe when Merrett won a holding the ball free kick after tackling Douglas.

Merrett's absence hurt the Bombers as he had picked up six contested possessions before being removed, much to his frustration, from the contest.

The 22-year-old, who won the Bombers' best and fairest in 2016, has now been removed from two games in the past month due to concussion.

First-gamer Darcy Fogarty looked excellent for the Crows, kicking a goal with his first kick in the AFL and then chipping in with another in the second quarter after a 50-metre penalty was paid against Essendon when Michael Hurley encroached the protected area.

However the Bombers' backline, without injured pair Patrick Ambrose and Martin Gleeson battled hard against a Crows' forwardline depleted through the loss of Charlie Cameron in the off-season and injuries to Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch.

Their courage under fire was enough to keep the Bombers in touch when their run returned.

ESSENDON 4.2 5.8 8.10 14.15 (99)
ADELAIDE 3.5 4.9 11.12 12.15 (87)

GOALS
Essendon: Hooker 3, Stewart 3, Daniher 2, Green 2, McGrath, Bellchambers, Goddard, Begley
Adelaide: Jenkins 2, Gibbs 2, Fogarty 2, Hampton, McGovern, Murphy, Douglas, Greenwood, Ellis-Yolmen

BEST
Essendon: Heppell, Hooker, McGrath, Goddard, Zaharakis, Smith
Adelaide: Laird, Gibbs, Crouch, Sloane, Talia

INJURIES
Essendon: Merrett (concussion)
Adelaide: Sam Gibson (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Hugh Greenwood, Hampton (hamstring)

REPORTS
Richard Douglas (Adelaide) reported for rough conduct on Zach Merrett (Essendon)

CROWD
43,016 at Etihad Stadium