ADELAIDE has snapped a 2822-day winless streak at the MCG in style, putting Essendon away by 61 points on Saturday afternoon.

It was on the heels of another Jordan Dawson masterclass, with his 33 disposals and 775m gained a huge factor in the 25.11 (161) to 15.10 (100) win as shadows crept across the 'G.

BOMBERS v CROWS Full match coverage and stats

Too often were the Bombers caught flat-footed at the contest, slow to react when the Crows won control of the footy and spread with real intent. Izak Rankine (15 disposals, two goals) and Josh Rachele (16 disposals, four goals) were ready and willing to exploit the space Essendon's delayed defensive transition afforded them.

Adelaide's centre bounce work was exceptional, with receivers getting on the move to make the most of genuine one-on-one matchups in the front half, thanks to the 6-6-6 rule.

Bombers captain Zach Merrett was outstanding, recording an equal career-high four goals from 36 disposals as his endeavour never tired. Meanwhile, Sam Durham's determination did create opportunity for Essendon, as the midfielder put his body on the line to finish with 21 disposals and seven clearances.

A brief positive patch for the home team in the second quarter, in which it turned up the pressure and generated two goals in as many minutes was quickly squashed as Adelaide resettled itself and wore away any momentum on the scoreboard Essendon had gained.

A similar spurt of energy from Essendon following the main break saw goals dobbed by Jye Caldwell and Jade Gresham before the Crows even got a look in, but the story of the previous quarter was the same. Once Adelaide wrestled back control, the Bombers were once again all at sea.

An elite club
The absence of key forward Kyle Langford through injury opened the door for SSP signing Tom Edwards to make his debut. Hailing from Western Australia, the newfound Bomber took the leap earlier in the year, leaving his teaching job to show the club he grew up supporting just what he was made of. His attack on the footy and smart movements inside 50 were evident as soon as he took the field, but it was his first genuine touch of the footy that was something of which dreams are made. Getting on the end of one late in the opening term, he executed a neat set shot to record his debut goal with his first kick of the footy, on the hallowed turf of the MCG. That's not where his day ended, either, as the 24-year-old kicked two more in the last quarter to lessen the damage.

The Draper way
Essendon tall Sam Draper has always done things his way, to the joy and horror of Bombers fans across the country. Within the first two minutes Draper, playing as the home side's deepest forward, drew a free kick 30m out, directly in front of goal. An anguished roar exploded from Essendon's cheer squad, sitting at the goals to which Draper was kicking, as he turned side-on to take the set shot around his body. Draper slotted the goal, shushing the crowd in his celebration, but the accurate kick wasn't enough to earn the trust of the crowd. Late in the first term he earned another free kick directly in front of the big sticks, and the crowd once again jeered as he turned to his side. Another accurate kick from Draper, however, had two majors to his name before the first break. And attempt No.3 in the last quarter was no different.

ESSENDON     3.2     5.4     9.7       15.10 (100)
ADELAIDE      5.5     11.8   18.10    25.11 (161)

GOALS 
Essendon: Merrett 4, Edwards 3, Draper 3, Kako 2, Martin, Caldwell, Gresham
Adelaide: Keays 4, Rachele 4, Fogarty 3, Thilthorpe 3, Neal-Bullen 2, Rankine 2, Soligo 2, Milera, Hinge, Walker, Curtin, Sholl

BEST 
Essendon: Merrett, Caldwell, Redman, Tsatas, Durham
Adelaide: Dawson, Rankine, Keays, Rachele, Thilthorpe, Murray

INJURIES 
Essendon: Nil
Adelaide: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Jye Menzie (replaced Nate Caddy in the fourth quarter)
Adelaide: Sid Draper (replaced Izak Rankine in the third quarter)

Crowd: 46,688 at the MCG