Australian Football

Match Report

Matching the previous Friday night's epic encounter between Hawthorn and Geelong (touted as the best game of 2012 and one of the best of all time) was never going to be an easy task, but Adelaide and Essendon came very close to doing so in the final match of round 19. The Crows regained second place on the ladder and Essendon were left clinging to a spot in the eight after a heart-stopping four-point win at Football Park. The victory was full of merit as Adelaide had trailed the Bombers by as much as 28 points just before half time. Patrick Dangerfield was dominant for the Crows with 29 possessions and three goals and was one of Adelaide's few good players when they struggled to make an impact in the first half. Meanwhile Jobe Watson did his Brownlow chances no harm, garnering 31 touches for Essendon. As was the case on Friday night, the encounter was a high-scoring affair and in both games, the victor owed much to a tall forward. In Adelaide's case it was Taylor Walker, who managed to atone for a couple of earlier errors by kicking four goals, including the match-winner at the 25 minute mark of the final quarter. Essendon had several late chances to steal the match back but the Crows defended grimly for the final few minutes, leaving the Bombers with the ball in the forward line but heartbroken when the full-time siren sounded. The Bombers remain in the eight and, despite a tough month ahead, have their finals destiny in their own hands. For Adelaide, the win further enhanced their chances of a top-two finish and a first-up home final.

GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 4; Dangerfield 3; Johncock, Jenkins 2; Jacobs, Sloane, Porplyzia, Riley, van Berlo
Essendon: Winderlich 4; Browne, Gumbleton 2; Colyer, Dempsey, Davey, Hurley, Jetta, Lonergan, Watson

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloane, Talia, Douglas, Walker
Essendon: Watson, Dempsey, Lovett-Murray, Browne, Carlisle, Heppell

BEST - SPORTAL.COM.AU
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Jacobs, Thompson, Sloane, B. Smith, Jenkins, Douglas
Essendon: Watson, Winderlich, Heppell, Lovett-Murray, Dempsey, Bellchambers, Lonergan

COACHES COMMENTS
Brenton Sanderson (Adel): That's the third time this year we've won a game by less than 10 points. We've shown that we can win the close ones when it matters.

James Hird (Ess): We know it's going to be tough but these boys have come up every week and given it a real crack.

Umpires: Donlon, Kamolins, Hay