Brad Scott’s Essendon has secured its fourth win of the season in the most dramatic of circumstances, holding off a charging Adelaide outfit by two points in a nail-biter.
The Bombers led at every change but never by more than five points, eventually going on to win by just three. Adelaide had the final three shots of the game and had the ball inside their forward half for more than 75 per cent of the final 10 minutes.
Taylor Walker looked to be taken high in the final minute and multiple Crows were exasperated at what they lamented to be a non-holding-the-ball free kick in what was the final play of the game.
Gerard Whateley said it best.
“A finish loaded with controversy, Essendon played for the siren from seven minutes out and they got there by a whisker,” he said in commentary for AFL Nation.
Scott’s men were the better side for much of the clash but the Crows never gave up hope in chasing their second win of the season, setting up one of the most dramatic finishes seen in 2024.
Here’s how we graded every player.
ADELAIDE
Jordan Dawson: A+
A down start to the season for the Adelaide captain turned around with one of the greatest individual quarters seen this year in the second term. Clearly the Crows’ best.
Josh Worrell: A+
Continues to grow in front of our eyes and looks to be an A-grade intercept defender of the future. Had the match up on the in-form Harrison Jones and came off from there.
Mitch Hinge: B+
Taylor Walker: B+
Reilly O’Brien: B+
The best ruckman on the ground.
Jake Soligo: B+
Another day, another game of Soligo proving himself as the future of Adelaide’s midfield. Got better as the game went on, especially in the third term as the Crows got on top.
Darcy Fogarty: B
Another Crow who has had a slow start to the season but got going on Friday night. A better game than his 1.2 suggests with so many ‘almost’ moments.
Ben Keays: B-
A minor surprise that Keays spent no time on Zach Merrett. Featured up forward instead and did finish with two goals from 11 touches.
Rory Laird: B-
Looked to be back in the midfield full-time after spending plenty of time behind the footy last week.
Izak Rankine: B-
Could come under MRO scrutiny for a sling tackle in the third term. Copped plenty of attention from the Crows and couldn’t back up his heroics of last week, but did get going in the last quarter.
James Borlase: C+
Chayce Jones: C+
Had enough of the footy but didn’t use it in a way that gave the Bombers any cause for concern. Primarily roaming one of the Adelaide Oval wings.
Luke Nankervis: C+
Mark Keane: C+
A few nervy moments, not unsurprising for a defender playing largely on Jake Stringer!
Will Hamill: C
A scrappy performance, but Hamill never stopped running. Or trying.
Josh Rachele: C
Had been growing in confidence in recent weeks and wouldn’t have been far off Adelaide’s best on Friday night if the game finished at three quarter time. Unfortunately for the young star, he fell to pieces after that.
Brayden Cook: C
Brodie Smith: C-
Reportedly passed a late fitness test to feature in the clash but played like a sore man. No impact from 22 disposals.
Max Michalanney: C-
17 touches but lacked the impact he’s shown earlier in his career.
Ned McHenry: C-
A goal from nine touches, not the influence McHenry can exert.
Lachlan Gollant: C-
Was exploited by the Bombers when he was called upon as the second ruckman. Didn’t have much else to write home about, either.
Sam Berry: N/A
Subbed off in the third term with an apparent ankle injury. Had played an inspiring first half prior to that.
Lachie Scholl: N/A
Subbed on in the third term when Berry succumbed to his ankle injury.
ESSENDON
Zach Merrett: A+
Astonishing he doesn’t cop any opposition attention every week. Was everywhere again on Friday night.
Jye Caldwell: A+
His best game for the season without a doubt, underpinned by a third term when he dragged the Bombers back into it.
Sam Durham: A
May only be games away from being a genuine A-grader of the competition. Some fumbles let him down but already Essendon’s toughest midfielder and took the game on plenty of times against Adelaide.
Ben Hobbs: A
Isn’t getting much midfield time but is beginning to show us the player he will be when more on-ball minutes come his way. Impacted the contest from 21 possessions while also kicking a goal.
Harrison Jones: B+
Hasn’t he turned his career around in the last month? Jones looks like he now believes he belongs at the top level. His attack on the footy was first class and he was well rewarded, particularly in the first half.
Nik Cox: B+
His most impactful game of the season, Cox appears to be relishing his position rotating between the wing and half-back.
Jake Stringer: B+
The perfect prototype of a Stringer game. Maximum impact and then some for most of his disposals, despite only having 11 of them. Also visibly tried his heart out, which can’t always be said.
Nic Martin: B+
Exactly what we’ve come to expect from Martin in his new role off half-back. That bomb goal from outside 50 in the final term buys him some extra credit.
Andy McGrath: B+
Looked to take the game on at every opportunity.
Jade Gresham: B
Had seven disposals inside the first five minutes. Slowed down from there but had some nice moments.
Mason Redman: B-
Got going in the second half after a slow start to the game. Limped off in the final term but fought on.
Ben McKay: B-
As tough and reliable as ever down back.
Jake Kelly: B-
A serviceable outing with 17 touches, but fair to say Kelly was in every biff that spilled across the ground against his former team.
Jayden Laverde: C+
Playing a role higher up in Essendon’s defence and also spent time on Darcy Fogarty.
Kyle Langford: C+
Couldn’t of had less impact in the first half if he tried, but stood up when he had his moments in the third term. Finished with two goals.
Todd Goldstein: C
Was one of a number of players who had the fumbles early. Got better as the contest wore on and had to battle harder than he has previously in Bombers colours considering Draper’s role change.
Alwyn Davey jnr: C
No scoreboard impact but found other ways to influence the contest.
Darcy Parish: C-
The All-Australian continues to lack in being able to find the footy and then use it in a way that benefits the Bombers. A confusing fall from grace.
Xavier Duursma: C-
Probably his worst game since coming to Essendon. Never got going in front of his former home crowd.
Nick Hind: C-
Dyson Heppell: C-
The dew prevented Heppell from being his typical composed self, particularly early on. 13 disposals is a season low.
Sam Draper: C-
A curious game. Spent much of the contest inside 50 and gave away a 50-metre penalty that gave Adelaide real momentum in the second term. Just five disposals and missed a goal he should have swallowed in the final term that would have given Essendon some breathing space.
Elijah Tsatas: N/A
Came on in the final term as the sub.
