ADELAIDE has consigned Essendon to its first loss of the season, the Crows imperious in their 47-point win at Unley Oval.

Eight goals were piled on by the home side in the second and third quarters, doing the damage in the 12.9 (81) to 5.4 (34) victory.

The Bombers had started in sprightly fashion, particularly in the clearances, and held a slender four-point lead at the first break.

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But Adelaide sprang to life in the second quarter, Anne Hatchard recording nine disposals after just two in the first term and partner-in-crime Ebony Marinoff working nicely into the game.

With Brooke Brown shutting down Eloise Jones in the first half – who was playing out of the square until moved to the wing in the fourth – it was Teah Charlton who proved to be a handful in attack, bringing plenty of spark inside 50.

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Bonnie Toogood was swung into defence for the second half of the second term as the Crows skipped clear to a 17-point lead, but Ponter's third notched up 50 career goals for the 23-year-old.

Essendon took back some control in the clearances after half-time, helping to slow the rate of Adelaide's goals somewhat, until Abbie Ballard booted two set shots from the same spot in the space of four minutes.

The Bombers didn't die wondering, holding their nerve to kick two goals in the final term, but the class of the Crows proved too much in the final few minutes, kicking clear again.

Maddy Prespakis played a near-lone hand in Essendon's midfield, while ruck Steph Wales proved her wares at ground level, recording six clearances, but Adelaide counterpart Jess Allan held sway in the aerial battle.

Essendon forward Daria Bannister suffered a concussion in the first quarter, hitting her head on the turf as she tackled an opponent, while Stevie-Lee Thompson hurt her back late in the game.

Up next

Essendon will be looking to bounce back against Fremantle on Sunday, back in the familiar surrounds of Windy Hill.

ADELAIDE      1.3     5.6     9.9     12.9     (81)
ESSENDON     2.1     2.1     3.2     5.4     (34)

GOALS

Adelaide: Ponter 3, Ballard 2, Gould 2, Hatchard 2, Charlton, Waterhouse, Randall

Essendon: Toogood 2, Prespakis 2, Scott

BEST

Adelaide: Hatchard, Ponter, Marinoff, J.Allan, Charlton

Essendon: Prespakis, Toogood, Brown, Cain, Wales

INJURIES

Adelaide: Thompson (back)

Essendon: Bannister (concussion)