The Crows trailed by 15 points with seven minutes remaining but kicked the final three goals of Friday night's captivating shootout at Marvel Stadium to end a seven-game losing run against the Bombers.
After Rachele's heroics, Essendon surged out of the middle through captain Zach Merrett and had multiple opportunities to snatch the lead back.
But the Crows rushed two behinds through, hanging on to win 17.13 (115) to 17.11 (113) for their seventh victory of 2024.
Ben Keays was a constant threat for the Crows, with five goals. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
It was a fitting finish to a rollercoaster match, after the Crows piled on 9.1 in the second term - the best quarter by any team this season.
But Essendon powered back from late in the second term, slamming through seven straight goals of their own to lead by 10 points at the final break.
After blowing a golden opportunity last week to solidify their spot in the top-four, the Bombers could end this round outside of the top-eight.
Adelaide forward Ben Keays, who was outstanding with a career-high five goals, could face disciplinary action for a tackle on Jye Caldwell, which resulted in the Bombers midfielder being subbed out with concussion.
Essendon forward Matt Guelfi will also face a nervous wait to learn if he is cited by the match review officer over a tackle on Sam Berry, with the Crows midfielder's head appearing to hit the ground.
Guelfi was awarded a free kick for holding the ball, but the league-wide confusion over what constitutes a dangerous tackle means this will be a talking point.
Essendon young gun Nate Caddy could also be in trouble after colliding front-on with Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson in the third quarter.
Zach Merrett contributed his usual captain's knock, racking up 30 possessions in a losing cause. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
After conceding eight-straight goals in a defensive capitulation, Essendon found themselves 36 points adrift late in the second term.
But the Bombers slammed through seven straight of their own in one of the more attacking matches of the season to lead by 10 points at three-quarter time.
Keays was ably supported up forward by Darcy Fogarty (four goals) and Rachele, who finished with three.
Adelaide will be sweating on scans to defender Nick Murray, who was subbed out of the game after injuring his knee in the first quarter.
It was only Murray's fifth match back after injuring his ACL in July last year.
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