Essendon match-winner Sam Draper rubs salt in the wounds for Adelaide with post-match celebration re-enacting controversial dive

Essendon star Sam Draper will be off the Christmas card list for Adelaide supporters after a controversial dive to secure victory – and a post-match party to rub salt in the wounds.

The Bombers’ hot start to the season continued in a three-point win, marred by referee controversy when Draper dived deep into the defense on a loose ball.

To most viewers, the dive was a clear case of holding the ball after Draper held the Sherrin for dear life as Crows players desperately tried to free it from his grasp.

However, the referee called it a ball and denied Adelaide star Taylor Walker a shot on target to win the match.

Draper emerged onto the pitch after the siren to replay his controversial play in the final minute of the match that proved decisive

The officials refused to call Draper for holding the ball, denying Crows star Taylor Walker a chance for the match winner

AFL bigwigs were unanimous in saying Adelaide was stunned by the late decision.

“He’s a fire blanket who literally ended the Crows’ season. This is one of the flops of all time… it was a straight possession,” said Geelong premiership winner Cam Mooney.

‘It was actually embarrassing… There’s almost no excuse. That was as egregious as you can see,” added former Hawk Ben Dixon.

‘Adelaide may have thought they were unlucky as big Sam Draper decided to lay on the foot. I’m not sure you can do that,” Demons legend Garry Lyon said after the match on Fox Footy.

‘It is unfair to ultimately limit it to one incident. But it looks like he fell on it and then hooked it back in.”

To make matters worse for the Adelaide fans, Draper then reenacted the dive onto the field after the siren to celebrate his match-winning play.

“He knew exactly what he was doing,” said one Crows supporter.

“Four referees on the field and not one had the balls to call it,” another raged.

‘AFL will come out and confirm it was another referee error… and one that once again affected the result. But no consequences for anyone,” writes a resigned supporter.

It was a close battle and the narrow victory ensures Essendon’s hot start to the season continues

Draper tangles with the Crows’ Reilly O’Brien during the thrilling clash at Adelaide Oval

Although Draper’s actions were the talking points of the match, it was a late long bomb from Nic Martin that handed Essendon a comeback three-point win over Adelaide in an AFL thriller.

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

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

Martin’s strike with about eight minutes remaining gave the visitors a six-point lead and the Bombers then held on bravely despite a series of Adelaide attacks.

“It ebbed and flowed and it could have gone either way in the end,” Essendon coach Brad Scott said. But I can safely say that our boys deserved the end result.”

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

Martin capped his influential display of 27 disposals with the late game-breaker, while Harrison Jones and Kyle Langford scored two goals each.