ADELAIDE has taken advantage of Carlton's shocking upset to Brisbane to climb into the top four for the first time in 2026 with a clinical win over Essendon. 

The Bombers, anchored to the bottom of the ladder after Richmond's win over West Coast earlier on Sunday, started brightly with the first two goals of the game. But Matthew Nicks' Crows, seeking a response to their loss to Collingwood, kicked the final five goals of the first term and never looked back, romping home by 23.7 (145) to 11.7 (73) at Marvel Stadium.

Big man Peter Wright was a shining light for Essendon, kicking six goals while Hussien El Achkar jagged two.

The Bombers came out firing with intense tackling pressure, but in the final 10 minutes of the first quarter, Adelaide won contested possessions 16-2 and clearances 7-1 and made it count.

Essendon youngster Angus Clarke hobbled off with a left knee injury late in the second quarter. That was found to be merely a hyperextension, only for Clarke to be accidentally collected in the head by teammate Isaac Kako later in the quarter and ruled out with concussion.

The Crows kicked away to lead by 33 at the main break.

Wright gave Essendon fans something to smile about with his fifth and sixth goals before Adelaide kicked away again.

Essendon (2-18) have the task of facing Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

Bombers' half-back line offers blueprint for the future
Jaxon Artemis had his best game since being drafted at No. 1 by the Bombers in the 2026 mid-season draft. The 19-year-old dashing half-back gave fans a glimpse of his flair and creativity with an early career-high 20 disposals and seven marks, connecting with fellow promising distributors Jacob Farrow (16 touches) and Archie Roberts (26 touches) on several occasions — but the Bombers couldn't convert it on the scoreboard. As Essendon's blue-chip prospects continue to get games under their belt together, it is only a matter of time before the red and black consistently score from their defensive fifty.

ESSENDON      3.1    5.3    6.5    11.7  (73)
ADELAIDE       7.2    10.6  13.7   23.7  (145)

GOALS
Essendon: Thilthorpe 5, Rankine 3, Dowling 3, Keays 3, Walker 2, Ah Chee 2, Rachele 2, Ryan, Ludowyke, Hall-Kahan 
Adelaide: Wright 6, El Achkar 2, Jones, Clarke, Caddy

BEST
Essendon: Wright, Sharp, Durham, Setterfield, Roberts 
Adelaide: Thilthorpe, Rankine, Dawson, Dowling, Soligo, Ah Chee 

INJURIES
Essendon: Clarke (knee, head)
Adelaide: Borlase (hamstring)