The Bombers' finals push was strengthened on Friday night after handing Adelaide a 63-point loss at Marvel Stadium.
The 11.18 (84) to 2.9 (21) scoreline reads as the Crows' lowest total in their history, with the Bombers dominating throughout the contest despite finding inaccuracies of their own.
The win places Essendon narrowly outside of the top-eight from 16 games after snatching their first defeat in three weeks.
The Crows sit a further six rungs back on the ladder in 15th, and will be facing the likelihood of five-straight defeats as they face finals contenders West Coast and the Western Bulldogs in the next fortnight.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks will be without star defender Tom Doedee for next week's home game against the Eagles, with the key backman suffering concussion in Friday night's loss.
Tom Doedee with amazing courage going back with the flight. ๐
(watch on 7) pic.twitter.com/BoZxc1IzJV
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 9, 2021
Doedee was subbed out of the match in the opening quarter, with medical sub Ben Davis coming into play.
Nicks commended Doedee's bravery post-match, but admitted it has cost him the chance to play in Round 18.
"I'm not sure that ball's ever there to go for," Nicks said.
"Tommy's so courageous, (so) to tell him to stop doing that, we'd take away what's been his weapon to this point in his short career.
"He loves the contest, he embraces physicality, he wants to put his body on the line for his team - it's just a matter of when and where.
Appreciate all the concern and thoughts โค๏ธ
Feeling great besides a sore chest. Didnโt think someone would be leading up at the ball, found out the hard way someone was though ๐ฌ
Shoutout to Tippa for checking in with me straight after the game, genuine legend
— Tom Doedee (@TDoedee31) July 9, 2021
"I'll have to look (at the replay) but at the time I was praying that he would pull out. It's a tough one."
The 24-year-old wasn't the only injury worry for Nicks, with in-form speedster Paul Seedsman also suffering a calf complaint late into the match.
The Bombers are facing injury concerns of their own, with midfield/forward Kyle Langford also being ruled out of the remainder of the match following a hamstring issue in the final stanza.
Forward
Marks
Tackles
Disposals
Essendon coach Ben Rutten spoke on the injury after the win, stating the club will take a conservative approach in healing Langford back to fitness.
"Hopefully it's not too bad.. we didn't want to take any risk with it," Rutten said.
"We don't think he'll be out for a long time."
The Bombers will remain at Marvel Stadium in Round 18 as they take on North Melbourne before a must-win clash with fellow finals hopefuls the Giants.
