The Bombers, sitting 10th on the ladder and with finals aspirations still alive, went into the match with their season on the line, but it was the Crows - with nothing to lose - who appeared the more inspired.
The hosts kicked seven of the opening eight goals to lead by 34 points at quarter time and added another five in the second term to increase the margin to 61 at half time.
Essendon lifted its intensity in third quarter but the damage had already been done, with the Crows cruising to a comfortable win.
The Crows made the decision to go tall against the undersized Essendon defence, which was without key position players Dustin Fletcher and Tayte Pears, and the move paid off almost immediately.
Kurt Tippett was the hero with six goals, while Patrick Dangerfield (four goals), Taylor Walker (three) and rookie Ricky Henderson (three) also proved a handful.
Paddy Ryder (30 hit-outs and two goals) and Jason Winderlich (25 disposals and six tackles) tried hard, but it was Essendon’s woeful disposal efficiency that proved the difference between the two sides.
The Bombers finished with more disposals than the Crows, but struggled to hit their targets and were crucified on the rebound.
Adelaide 7.1 12.5 15.7 19.10 (124)
Essendon 1.3 2.4 4.8 5.10 (40)
GOALS
Adelaide: Tippett 6, Dangerfield 4, Walker, Henderson 3, Goodwin, Vince, Thompson
Essendon: Ryder 2, Hocking, Lonergan, T Slattery
BEST
Adelaide: Tippett, Thompson, Dangerfield, Douglas, van Berlo, Walker, Henderson, Davis
Essendon: Ryder, Winderlich, Welsh, Prismall
INJURIES
Adelaide: Jaensch (concussion), Griffin (ankle)
Essendon: H Slattery (tbc), T Slattery (broken nose)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Chamberlain, Hay, Avon
Official crowd: 37, 296 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
