Essendon have hung on against a surging Adelaide to claim a four-point victory and finally get their AFL season off the mark.
The Bombers were without coach Ben Rutten, who was isolating as a COVID-19 close contact, while a hamstring injury sidelined gun forward Jake Stringer, amid their worst start to a campaign since 1967.
But with stand-in coach Blake Caracella taking the reins, the Bombers withstood a late Crows surge to prevail 15.13 (103) to 15.9 (99).
Darcy Parish racked up 38 touches and eight clearances and was well supported by Nic Martin, Andrew McGrath and Jye Caldwell while Peter Wright (three goals, six marks), was influential.
On his return from a six-game ban for making a racist comment about a SANFL opposition player last year, Taylor Walker was booed whenever he touched the ball, but booted four goals and was among Adelaide's best.
Walker also had a shot to potentially win the match from long range with just over a minute on the clock, but missed.
Adelaide star Rory Laird was typically busy with 38 disposals, while Showdown hero Jordan Dawson's classy ball use proved influential and Josh Rachele (three goals) was lively.
From the opening minute, Essendon were strong around the clearances but Adelaide proved deadly on the counter, troubling the Bombers with their quick, scything ball movement.
The Bombers led by seven at the first break and big goals to Wright and Caldwell gave them a 16-point lead midway through the second quarter
But the Crows reeled in the Bombers and Essendon led by eight at half-time, as Will Snelling (calf) was substituted off for Devon Smith.
Snelling was in his return game from a calf injury.
The third quarter proved a see-sawing affair, but Matt Guelfi's goal on the run gave Essendon a five-point edge leading into the final term.
In a see-sawing final term, Smith proved arguably Essendon's most influential player.
The substitute kicked the goal that extended Essendon's lead to seven, then after a run of Adelaide behinds, he teed up Archie Perkins to kick the Bombers out to a 10-point advantage.
Lachlan Gollant drew the Crows within a goal while the Bombers would have breathed a sigh of relief when Walker skied his late shot.
The Crows had one final surge in the dying seconds but Mason Redman took an important intercept mark to save the game.
