{"id":840247,"date":"2026-08-02T17:42:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T17:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/840247\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T17:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T17:42:35","slug":"crows-cruise-past-bombers-to-go-fourth-in-afl-the-courier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/840247\/","title":{"rendered":"Crows cruise past Bombers to go fourth in AFL | The Courier"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AdelaideAdelaide have thrashed Essendon, with Hugo Hall-Kahan among their three first-time goalscorers. Photo: Dylan Burns\/AAP PHOTOS<\/p>\n

Adelaide’s fate rests squarely in their own hands, says coach Matthew Nicks, after the Crows returned to the AFL top four with a comfortable 72-point win over battling Essendon.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But Adelaide kicked the final five majors of the first term and never looked back, romping home by 23.7 (145) to 11.7 (73) at Marvel Stadium.<\/p>\n

“We’ve just got to continue to win now. Destiny’s in our hands,” Nicks said.<\/p>\n

“I guess in a way we’ve earned the position we’re in. We’ve now got three weeks to nail that, starting next weekend.”<\/p>\n

\"RileyRiley Thilthorpe joined the Adelaide goalfest, kicking five. (Dylan Burns\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

The Crows (13-7) are in prime position to seize a top-four berth, but Nicks urged his charges to lock in on their next match against Richmond at Adelaide Oval.<\/p>\n

“It’s something that we acknowledge. We look at results yesterday and we don’t shy away from the fact that that opportunity is now there,” Nicks said.<\/p>\n

“If you win all three games, then it’s ours.”<\/p>\n

Adelaide spearhead Riley Thilthorpe, who Nicks called “dominant”, monstered Essendon’s defence and finished with 5.2 and 10 marks.<\/p>\n

Crows star Izak Rankine (23 disposals, 10 score involvements and three goals) was influential.<\/p>\n

Skipper Jordan Dawson (30 disposals, nine clearances) was prolific, while Billy Dowling and Ben Keays kicked three goals each.<\/p>\n

On return from injury, Crows recruit Callum Ah Chee kicked two goals and had three goal assists.<\/p>\n

Adelaide also celebrated terrific maiden AFL goals from impressive debutant Oscar Ryan, Hugo Hall-Kahan and first-gamer Archie Ludowyk.<\/p>\n

James Borlase (hamstring awareness) sat out the second half but Nicks believed the defender would be fine.<\/p>\n

Peter Wright was a shining light for Essendon, kicking six goals.<\/p>\n

\"PeterPeter Wright was defiant for the cellar dwelling Bombers, kicking six majors. (Dylan Burns\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

“His last four or five, six weeks have been sensational,” interim coach Dean Solomon said.<\/p>\n

“The way that he’s showed leadership within the whole group, it’s been a significant shift in growth for Pete and no doubt game day has just been an outcome of that mindset.<\/p>\n

“So he got a bit of reward today.”<\/p>\n

Essendon star Zach Merrett (27 disposals) fought hard and young gun Archie Roberts (26) was a threat.<\/p>\n

\"ZachZach Merrett provided a focal point for the Bombers … and a seat for Oscar Ryan. (Dylan Burns\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

Essendon’s Angus Clarke was concussed when he was accidentally collected by teammate Isaac Kako.<\/p>\n

Solomon said Clarke would head to hospital due to neck soreness and expected him to have his left knee, which he hyperextended earlier, scanned.<\/p>\n

The gulf in class won out and Adelaide led by 33 points at halftime, then 50 at three-quarter time before kicking away late.<\/p>\n

Solomon lamented Essendon conceding 66 points in “red time” late in quarters.<\/p>\n

“It’s been a bit of a theme over the last five or six weeks. We concede one, it becomes two or three or four very quickly,” he said.<\/p>\n

Essendon (2-18), still in the recruitment process for their next coach, next face Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Australian Associated Press<\/p>\n

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