Essendon beat Adelaide by three points as Sam Draper non-call by umpire enrages Crows

A late Nic Martin long bomb has given Essendon a comeback three-point win against Adelaide in an AFL thriller.

Martin launched from 55 metres on the run for the final goal as the Bombers prevailed 10.18 (78) to 11.9 (75) at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

But a contentious non-decision in the final seconds of the game will dominate the post-match discussion, with Sam Draper escaping a holding the ball call which would have allowed Taylor Walker a shot to win it after the siren.

Draper found himself laying on his stomach with the ball pinned beneath him as the clock ticked down, but the umpire let him off and called for a ball up a split second before the siren sounded.

Adelaide players protested to the umpire as their Bombers opponents celebrated a thrilling away win.

Essendon climb into the top eight with a fourth win of the season but the Crows remain in the mire with one win and five losses.

Martin’s strike with about eight minutes left put the visitors six points up, and the Bombers then held on bravely despite a series of Adelaide attacks.

Essendon skipper Zach Merrett was a standout with 28 disposals, seven clearances and a crucial last-term goal while Jade Gresham (26 touches) was also busy.

Martin capped his influential 27-disposal display with the late game-breaker while Harrison Jones and Kyle Langford had two goals each.

Adelaide’s Jake Soligo continued his break-out form in the midfield with 31 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal.

His captain Jordan Dawson was superb with 31 touches, two goals and nine tackles while backman Mitch Hinge (25 possessions) had patches of influence.

Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.

[Live blog link]