IMPRESSIVE youngster Archie Perkins has put his hand up for a Rising Star nomination with a lively three-goal performance in Essendon’s 63-point thrashing of Adelaide.
One of the Bombers’ three prized top-10 draft picks last year, Perkins was dangerous around goal and lit up the forward line with his defensive work in an 11.18 (84) to 2.9 (21) win on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
The 19-year-old nailed a superb checkside kick from the pocket to complete a sweeping move from the wing as the Bombers dominated after quarter-time to keep Adelaide to their lowest score in club history.
It was also the lowest score kicked by any team at the Docklands venue in 971 games since it opened in 2000.
It was a tough night for the Crows, who lost star defender Tom Doedee to concussion after he ran back with the flight of the ball and collided with leading Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti during the first quarter.
The only real sour note for Essendon was a hamstring injury to Kyle Langford that saw him substituted at three-quarter time.
Star midfielder Zach Merrett (35 disposals) accumulated possessions at will as enigmatic Bombers star Jake Stringer celebrated his 150th game with 23 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.
Adelaide’s forward line lacked potency without injured spearhead Taylor Walker and the visitors were restricted to their lowest first-half tally of the season – 1.3 (9).
Only youngster Harry Schoenberg’s brilliant snap prevented the Crows from delivering the second goalless half in their history.
Rory Laird (33 disposals), Paul Seedsman (27) and Ben Keays (25) had plenty of the ball through the middle for Adelaide but the Bombers dominated the inside-50 count (61-31).
Questions had been raised over Essendon’s finals credentials in defeats to premiership contenders Melbourne and Geelong over the previous two rounds.
And while a win over lowly Adelaide won’t inspire many grand predictions, it was a much-needed result in the Bombers’ pursuit of a top-eight berth.
They now sit just two points shy of eighth-placed GWS with a better percentage, though the Giants have a game in hand.
The hefty margin gave Essendon a handy percentage boost – up from 98.7 to 103.4 – and came despite a goalless opening 20 minutes.
Goals to Cale Hooker and Stringer, who did not have a touch in the opening 25 minutes of his milestone match, came either side of the collision that ended Doedee’s night early.
It was all Essendon after the opening period in a one-sided contest.
(C) AAP 2021
ESSENDON 2.5 6.8 9.12 11.18 (84)
ADELAIDE 0.2 1.3 2.7 2.9 (21)
Goals: Essendon: A Perkins 3 P Wright 2 A McDonald-Tipungwuti A Waterman C Hooker H Jones J Stringer W Snelling. Adelaide: H Schoenberg L Murphy.
Umpires: Ray Chamberlain, Curtis Deboy, Alex Whetton.
Official Crowd: 23,604 at Marvel Stadium
