ESSENDON'S season has ended in disappointing fashion with a 96-point loss to Adelaide in their elimination final at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

The Crows booted eight goals in the second term to set up a thumping victory, 26.10 (166) to 10.10 (70).

A MCG semi-final against either St Kilda or Collingwood looms for an in-form Adelaide while Essendon will begin its preparation for 2010.

Jason Porplyzia (five goals) and Kurt Tippett (four) led Adelaide’s 13 goalscorers while Adam McPhee (four) played a lone hand for Essendon.

Veteran Andrew McLeod led the way for Adelaide, while Nathan Lovett-Murray, Brent Stanton and Courtenay Dempsey joined McPhee among Essendon’s best on a tough night.

The Crows opened the game’s scoring through Vince’s goal after five minutes but Bomber Angus Monfries replied immediately following a 50m penalty.

Led by Dempsey and Heath Hocking, Essendon’s midfield caused some early difficulties for the home side but the Crows were able to generate more opportunities.

However, one Tippett goal was all that Adelaide had to show for their industry, allowing Michael Quinn – a late replacement for Tom Bellchambers – to tie the scores with five minutes to play.

Adelaide booted two of the term’s last three majors to take a six-point lead into the first change.

After an even first quarter, the Crows lifted to another level in the second quarter, piling on the first three goals in quick succession.

Crows ruckman Ivan Maric was having a field day at the stoppages in the absence of a recognised Essendon ruckman as Adelaide opened a 24-point lead.

Twice, Essendon pulled a goal back through McPhee and Stanton but the Crows responded each time to quash any thoughts of a Bomber revival.

Further goals to Richard Douglas, Tippett and Chris Knights put Adelaide 39 points up at the long break.

The first four goals of the third quarter were split evenly with McPhee contributing both of Essendon’s early majors.

Maric bobbed up to extend Adelaide’s lead and Tippett followed suit a minute later to put the home side 46 points up.

When Trent Hentschel and Scott Thompson added their names to the Crows’ burgeoning list of goalscorers, the lead was beyond 10 goals.

McPhee continued to fly the red and black flag up forward, booting his third of the quarter late but he had too few helpers as Adelaide took a 61-point lead into the last term.

The final term was of little consequence to the overall result as the Crows booted the first six goals to underline their superiority on the night, although Skipworth and Andrew Lovett slotted consolation goals.

Adelaide  4.3  12.4  18.9  26.10 (166)
Essendon  3.3  5.7  8.8  10.10 (70)

GOALS
Adelaide: Porplyzia 5, Tippett 4, Knights 3, Burton 3, Dangerfield 2, Douglas 2, Vince, Edwards, Maric, Hentschel, Thompson, Mackay, Sellar
Essendon: McPhee 4, Skipworth 2, Monfries, Quinn, Stanton, Lovett

BEST
Adelaide: Vince, Tippett, McLeod, Porplyzia, Maric, Thompson, Goodwin, Knights, Douglas
Essendon: McPhee, Stanton, Lovett-Murray, Welsh

INJURIES
Adelaide: Thompson (hamstring)
Essendon: Nil

Reports: Vince (Adel) reported by emergency umpire Nicholls for wrestling McVeigh (Ess) in the fourth quarter

Umpires: McBurney, Stevic, Ryan

Official crowd: 50,393 at AAMI Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.