AFL round two heats up Saturday with three key matches. Essendon and Adelaide launch the action with an MCG clash while Richmond, after a surprise round one win, clash with Port Adelaide across the border. Geelong and St Kilda play on Saturday night.
AFL round two heats up Saturday with three key matches. Essendon and Adelaide launch the action with an MCG clash while Richmond, after a surprise round one win, clash with Port Adelaide across the border. Geelong and St Kilda play on Saturday night.
A late goal to new Crow Alex Neal-Bullen extended Adelaide’s lead just before quarter-time.
In bright conditions, the Crows have five goals on the board and most of their early running.
Adelaide 5.5 (35) lead Essendon 3.2 (20)
It’s been 30 years since Essendon and Adelaide last played at the MCG. That game was round 14, 1995. It’s also only the third time such a match-up has happened.
In the three decades in between, the two clubs have clashed at Football Park in South Australia, the Docklands (insert whatever name you need), Princes Park (in 1997) and Adelaide Oval.
Interestingly, the first game at the home of footy between Adelaide, which joined the AFL in 1991, and competition heavyweight Essendon was the 1993 preliminary final.
Tom Edwards gets a goal on debut for the Bombers. That was all so important for Essendon, who were quickly losing traction against the Crows, who’d got a run on of four straight goals. There seems to be a clear different in class so far – Adelaide have more talent across their lines while the Bombers, to be brutal, seem short of A-grade players.
Adelaide 4.4 (28) lead Essendon 2.2 (14) after 21 minutes
Essendon’s defence is being tested, and the early results aren’t flash. Andrew McGrath should have hit a target coming out of defence to set up a strong rebound but missed, creating a boundary throw-in. Zach Reid’s handball under pressure led to a turnover but Ben Keays couldn’t snap truly. Ben McKay, who had started well, allowed Riley Thilthorpe to mark uncontested and then swing inside with no pressure on his right foot to hit up Josh Rachele on the lead.
The Crows have booted two goals in four minutes to edge ahead. Essendon had the early running, but the visitors have settled now. Wayne Milera and Ben Keays are on the board.
Adelaide 2.3 (15) lead Essendon 1.2 (8) after 10 minutes
The Essendon captain has had seven touches after six minutes of play.
Beautiful, sunny conditions in Melbourne today.
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