Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti says his midfield bursts against the Crows provided a good learning opportunity. 

The second year Bomber was used in the middle of the ground throughout the match and ended the game with 16 possessions and four goals.

“It was a good experience – I was just going in for five minutes to use my speed,” he said.

“There were a few fumbles every now and then but I really enjoyed playing in the middle and learning from ‘Hep’ and Jobe.”

The Bombers were on the back foot early as the Crows took control of the first half.

The home side had 15 goals on the board at half time, with the Bombers only able to lay 17 tackles in that period.

But the Dons hit back after the break applying 22 tackles in the third term alone to outscore the Crows. 

“We got back to our game plan and played our footy … and the boys just gelled together,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

“Our focus was to move it forward and take it off the line so that’s what we did in the second half.

“We would have loved to have done that in first half but we’ll work on it and hopefully come out really strong next week.”

Essendon and Adelaide were united pre-match to make a stand against racism.

The Bombers ran through a banner condemning racism before McDonald-Tipungwuti tossed the coin with Adelaide’s Eddie Betts – who was the target of racial abuse last week.

“I just told him to put his head up and that we’re here to support him,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

“That’s what we do as a Club – we wanted to show that support.

“I think that’s what the AFL family did this week … it’s good to see everyone back him and help him get through it.”

The Bombers now have ten days to prepare for the ANZAC Day clash against Collingwood.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to the game,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

“It’s obviously a big game for us and Collingwood … we’re going to go back on the track and work hard and fix up our mistakes.”