It’s been six years since Essendon last claimed victory in Adelaide against the Crows and the Bombers will be looking to break that drought at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Okay, we may be stretching the rules a little here, because it wasn’t exactly Don This Ground – it was back at Football Park in round one of the 2013 season.

But we will stroll down memory lane regardless, given our close ties to the great DON Smallgoods and Adelaide’s subsequent move to the home of cricket in the city of churches.

The home side was clearly favoured to take the spoils that Friday evening after a sensational 2012 season finishing in second place with a 17-5 record.

The Dons, on the other hand, had finished in 11^th place with an 11-11 record after scoring 2091 points and conceding 2090 – an extremely even season.  

The game kicked off as many would have expected, with Adelaide kicking the first three goals of the clash in the opening 12 minutes.

Essendon conceded the first 22 points of the game and there were fewer than two minutes remaining in the first term when experienced onballer Brent Stanton finally booted the Bombers’ first goal to enter the first change 13 points adrift of the Crows.

But Stanton’s breakthrough proved massively important, kicking off a huge burst from the Bombers who booted 10 of 12 goals up to midway through the premiership quarter, drawing out to a 27-point lead in a scintillating 49-point turnaround.

There were six red and black goals in the second term, while the Bombers in the backline proved gritty, keeping Adelaide to a single goal for the quarter.

One of the key catalysts of the dominant period was small forward Alwyn Davey, who provided plenty of spark with his sensational dash, skill and defensive pressure, and booted three goals in the third term. 

Davey’s scorching speed was a weapon in attack and defence. (Image: AFL Photos)

The Crows battled well in the second half to get within 17 points 22 minutes into the final term, but the Dons were up for the fight.

Essendon was simply too strong for its more fancied opponent, rallying again late to kick the last three goals of the game including an impressive goal to David Myers with just three seconds remaining.

It was a powerful statement to kick off the season, finishing well ahead on tackles (73 to 47), inside 50s (62 to 48) and clearances (44 to 33).

Ben Howlett was one of the heroes for the Bombers, taking home the three Brownlow Medal votes for his outstanding effort gathering 25 disposals, six tackles, six inside 50s and four goals.

Howlett celebrates one of four goals during his massive game against the Crows. (Image: AFL Photos)

Skipper Jobe Watson was next in line for votes, claiming two for a typically dominant midfield display racking up 34 disposals, 13 contested possessions, seven clearances and seven inside 50s.

The final vote went to tough midfielder, and current VFL captain, Heath Hocking. It was a deserved reward for a terrific tagging performance on then Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield, limiting the dangerous Crow to just 17 disposals and holding him goalless.

To put that into more context, Dangerfield was coming off an average of 27 disposals in 2012 and he went on to boot 31 goals in the remainder of the 2013 season.

It was also a milestone evening for the club at Football Park, with fresh face Nick Kommer putting together a great display on debut with 16 disposals and 10 contested possessions.

Second-gamer Jackson Merrett (16 disposals, 11 contested possessions and three goal assists) also caused headaches for the opposition, while new Bomber Brendon Goddard booted a goal in his first senior game in the red and black.

Kommer and Goddard were at the centre of celebrations in round one, 2013. (Image: AFL Photos)

Other Bombers to impress that night were Stanton (26 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s and a goal) and smooth mover Courtenay Dempsey (20 disposals, five tackles and plenty of run with three bounces).

Only time will tell whether Essendon can finally break through for the four points against the Crows on their home deck and there is certainly no bigger stage than this Friday night in what will be a fascinating battle between the two finals aspirants.

The Bombers’ line-up for the clash will be revealed at 6:20pm on Thursday evening.