Having endured their worst start since 1967, the winless Bombers were without key midfielder Jake Stringer due to a hamstring injury and senior coach Ben Rutten .
Adelaide were flying after a post-siren win in the Showdown last round, while Rory Sloane returned from an adductor problem.Veteran Crow Taylor Walker made a four-goal return for the Crows after serving a six-week suspension for making racist remarks. He had a particular impact early on, when Elliot Himmelberg and Lachlan Gollant were quiet.
Another major apiece left the crowd with whiplash. Nic Martin once again proved his worth for the Bombers, involved in four scoring chains from his six early disposals.Rory Sloane and the Crows leave the field after the game.Essendon had a kicking efficiency of 78 per cent compared to Adelaide’s 58 in the second term, but they struggled to show it on the scoreboard, missing many of their opportunities.
But Waterman sought redemption after the siren, booting a major to leave the Bombers eight points up at the main break.Eighteen-year-old Rachele showed he’s settled in well at West Lakes, slotting a third goal in the third term. The No.6 pick from the 2021 AFL draft finished the day with three goals, 19 disposals and nine marks.The third term was all Adelaide’s early, a major from Ned McHenry opening the floodgates for both Rachele and Walker to storm right through.