Adelaide boots seven goals in a row to leave Essendon in their wake after Joe Daniher’s goal celebration

JOE Daniher ruffled an opponent’s hair after Essendon hit the front, then the Crows slammed on seven straight goals, but the Bombers coach didn’t have an issue with what Daniher did.

Essendon's Joe Daniher and Adelaide's Sam Jacobs at a boundary throw in. Pic: Michael Klein

LEIGH Matthews said it would be enough to make him belt someone.

Adelaide felt the same, but the belting they inflicted took place on the Etihad Stadium scoreboard.

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We speak of hair ruffling.

Joe Daniher was in the midst of a 10-minute rampage when his third consecutive goal catapulted Essendon in front of the Crows early in the second term.

With the stands rocking, Daniher wheeled around and jumped over the back of Adelaide’s Rory Atkins, ruffling his head.

Joe Daniher has some fun with Adelaide's Rory Atkins after he kicked one of his second-term goals. Pic: Michael Klein

Cale Hooker copped some attention in Round 18 after he targeted young Kangaroo Daniel Nielson. Picture: Getty Images

The ladder-leading Crows responded by ruffling more than that, slamming on the next seven goals to take a stranglehold of a high-octane clash they loosened, but never let go.

Essendon didn’t goal again until they were down by 44 points halfway through the third quarter, but when they did they came with venom.

@joedaniher06 and I are good mates, he was just having fun.

— Rory Atkins (@RoryAtkins21) August 12, 2017

Cale Hooker, a hair ruffler himself, kicked three goals in the third term alone — the second on the run from the boundary line and the third a monster set shot.

When the retiring Jobe Watson drilled one a minute later Etihad was jumping again.

The Bombers had got back to within 19 points in the shadows of three-quarter time, but the Crows goalled twice in the last 60 seconds of the term in typically ruthless fashion.

Josh Jenkins had a big night for the Crows. Picture: AAP

Jobe Watson kicked a beauty on the run. Pic: Michael Klein

Ultimately, Adelaide’s seven goal onslaught after Daniher’s contentious celebration was a mountain the Bombers couldn’t quite climb.

What is it with hair ruffling anyway? Daniher and Atkins might have played together at the Calder Cannons, but the celebration fell flat.

For good measure, Atkins would end the game as one of its best players.

However, Essendon coach John Worsfold said there was nothing wrong with Daniher’s celebration.

“Are they good mates?” Worsfold asked.

“Are you allowed to have a bit of fun with your mates? They don’t get to play footy together in the backyard anymore like maybe they did when they were younger.

“They now do it on a bit different stage, but they’re mates. If people have been offended by it then toughen up.”

The Crows are now unbeaten in their last eight matches and the scoring juggernaut rolls on after another 18-goal onslaught.

Rory Sloane left the field hobbling but returned to play a role against the Bombers. Pic: Michael Klein

This was a shootout, just not the one Essendon fans or neutrals had hoped for. The Bombers bought a BB gun; Adelaide rocked up with a bazooka.

Coming in, the Dons ranked first for scores per inside 50m and Adelaide second, meaning this was always going to be decided by the midfield who could stuff the pill in their side’s half more often.

That would be Adelaide, with Matt Crouch (35 disposals), Rory Laird and Brodie Smith (both 27 touches) helping the Crows to 17 more contested possessions and a 62-47 inside 50m advantage.

At times, their transition was exquisite. Confronted with a flood? They change the angle. Pressed in? They go-slow and methodically pick their way through.

Yet the Crows most dominated in the air, with a staggering 24 contested marks to 11, while plucking 22 marks inside 50m to Essendon’s eight. The forward line works so hard and so selflessly even the tightest of holes are found.

The ‘Crowbots’ might be a negative nickname from another time, but this team has a machine-like way about them. They score and they keep scoring.

Essendon, without two important pieces of ammunition in the suspended Zach Merrett and injured Orazio Fantasia — weren’t disgraced.

Andrew McGrath was a shining light opposed to Eddie Betts. Pic: Michael Klein

Andrew McGrath was outstanding, keeping Eddie Betts to seven touches and goalless while gathering 25 possessions himself.

Hooker kicked a career high four goals and James Stewart showed encouraging flashes.

Three days after announcing his retirement, Jobe Watson was again subdued. Four minutes into the fourth quarter the prearranged tribute for the No.4 came with a round of applause, but this was no vintage performance.

A ball magnet before the supplement saga hit, that trait just hasn’t returned back with him.

Impact players Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (eight touches, goalless), Josh Green (10 touches, goalless) and Travis Colyer (seven touches, one goal) were a non-factor.

Brodie Smith and Rory Atkins gave run and used their penetrating boots to good effect. Picture: Getty Images

Worsfold said the silver lining of the loss to the Crows was that the lessons that would come from playing a ladder-leading flag favourite in full swing.

“Areas of our game we learnt we’re not at the elite level yet. That’s the bonus of playing a team in Round 21 that’s premiership favourites and clear on top of the ladder,” he said.

“Our ball use wasn’t as good as theirs ... they were at a higher level than us in that regard and they took their opportunities.

“Some of our contested work, we were second to the ball compared to them. I think they were more committed in the air as well in that really hard contest.

“It’s something we can learn from.”

ADELAIDE 5.3 10.6 14.9 18.15 (123)

ESSENDON 2.2 5.4 9.7 12.8 (80)

GOALS

Crows: J Jenkins 3 M McGovern 3 B Smith 2 R Douglas 2 T Walker 2 B Crouch D Mackay H Greenwood R Atkins R Knight T Lynch

Bombers: C Hooker 4 J Daniher 3 J Stewart 2 C McKenna J Watson T Colyer

BEST

Bombers: McGrath, Hooker, Daniher, Zaharakis, Stewart, Hurley

Crows: M.Crouch, Atkins, Smith, Jenkins, Douglas, Lynch, Laird

Official Crowd: 38,487 at Etihad Stadium.

SAM EDMUNDS’S VOTES

3 Matt Crouch

2 Rory Atkins

1 Brodie Smith