Star duo guns down Bombers

ADELAIDE’S attacking aces Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts have gone on scoring sprees in a 65-point AFL drubbing of Essendon.

The Crows remain top of the ladder after their 24.9 (153) to 13.10 (88) win last night at Adelaide Oval.

Betts responded to the week’s racism controversy with a six-goal haul.

And Walker slotted five in remarkable first half by the unbeaten Crows.

Walker scored four majors in the first term as Adelaide piled on 9.2, just two points shy of the club’s record highest score for an opening quarter.

And then his sidekick Betts took centre stage in the second term, booting three as Adelaide built a commanding 15.6 to 7.2 halftime lead — both Betts and Walker had five goals each at the long break.

The free-scoring Crows broke the 100-point barrier just four minutes into the third quarter in a power-packed display.

Vice-captain Rory Sloane (34 disposals, two goals), halfback Brodie Smith (33 possessions), Rory Laird (35 disposals) and Matt Crouch (30 touches) ran rampant.

They provided frequent chances for Betts, who was in fine fettle after being involved early in the week in a racism row — there were anti-racism messages on the venue’s large screens and on the Crows’ banner.

By halftime, Betts’ captain Walker had five goals and four score assists against the off- key Bombers, who now sit with a pair of wins and losses this so far season.

Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipgungwuti was a standout with four goals and young teammates Travis Colyer (three) and Kyle Langford (two) also hit the scoreboard.

Ever-reliable Zach Merrett (34 possessions) and Brendon Goddard (34 disposals) battled gamely to try to stem the Adelaide tide.

Their feats helped turn the second half into something of a scoring stalemate — Adelaide’s nine to Essendon’s six goals — but the Crows’ job was already done.