Essendon overruns Adelaide to start the season with a win
TODAY’S LINE-UP: Matthew Lloyd, Tony Shaw, Dwayne Russell, Bruce Eva, Mick Warner, and Nat Edwards.
Photo: Tracey Nearmy / AAP
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Adam Saad was one of three Bombers to win in his first game in red and black.
Saad told 3AW he was happy to do his role for the team.
It was a pretty important role: Saad kept dangerous forward Eddie Betts goalless.
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FULL TIME
Essendon has overrun Adelaide to start the season with a win.
The Bombers booted six goals to one in the final term after trailing by 20 points at three-quarter time.
The Dons did it without star midfielder Zach Merrett, who was concussed early in the second quarter.
Key forwards James Stewart and Cale Hooker both booted three goals for the Dons.
Matthew Lloyd said Adelaide will rue this defeat.
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HALF TIME
Essendon leads by five points, but the main story is a concussion to star Zach Merrett.
Crow Richard Douglas is on report for the bump that led to the incident, but Matthew Lloyd doesn’t think he should be suspended for it.
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Matthew Lloyd has identified five Crows who will be “burning” to make up for their Grand Final defeat.
Lloydy said Daniel Talia, Josh Jenkins, Eddie Betts, David Mackay, and Paul Seedsman will want to start 2018 strongly.
“All you can do is make up for it the next game,” Lloydy said.
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THE BUILD-UP
Round 1 gathers steam as Essendon and Adelaide clash at the Docklands.
The two clubs have strong finals claims in 2018, and both will be desperate to start the season on the right foot.
Can Adelaide overcome the loss of their skipper Taylor Walker? Or will the Bombers grab four early points?
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