A comfortable 23-point win for the Sydney Swans over the Essendon Bombers on Friday night. The Swans got about 20 points ahead, and stayed about 20 points ahead.
The Bombers showed a bit of fight at times but never really got within striking distance.
Patrick Ryder and Michael Hurley were decent for the Dons; Dyson Heppell was good too but not good enough when they needed it.
Luke Parker and Ben McGlynn were impressive for the Swans and really the keys to them winning the game – McGlynn’s two ripping goals were a real highlights.
Heath Grundy kept Jake Carlisle out of the goal in an impressive shut-down job.
Adam Goodes also wound the clock back a little further too, with two majors.
FULL TIME
SYDNEY 11.13.79
ESSENDON 8.8.56
The Sydney Swans host the Essendon Bombers at the SCG tonight, with both teams needing a win to boost their position for the run to the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
The Swans were on top of the world – and the ladder – with a twelve game winning streak from Round 5 through to Round 17 that equalled their longest ever winning streak as a club, set back in the 1930s.
However, it came to a halt at the MCG last week when they had a narrow 10 point loss to Hawthorn. They’re still top of the ladder by percentage, but only by a slim margin.
Essendon on the other hand have had a great last month, with wins over Port Adelaide, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs catapulting them into the top eight.
They are no certainty to remain there however, making a fourth consecutive win very important.
The Swans are in good form over the Bombers in their recent meetings. They have won the last three running, and five of the last six.
Essendon haven’t beaten Sydney at the SCG since 2009 – only eight of the players in Essendon’s side tonight featured in that game.
Essendon have made only one change, with ruck-forward Tom Bellchambers coming in to replace Michael Hibberd, who will miss three weeks with a hamstring injury.
Sydney have made only one change, omitting Jeremy Laidler for veteran defender Rhyce Shaw.
Who would you take – Lance Franklin or Jake Carlisle? Buddy has the runs on the board but Carlisle’s form in recent weeks has been simply breathtaking. If he is switched on again tonight, Essendon will have a much better chance of winning.
A win will boost the credentials of either team – but who is going to get it?
Prediction
I expect Essendon will be more competitive tonight than they were against Sydney earlier in the year, but it is still difficult to see them overcoming the top-placed Swans.
Sydney by 24 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Josh
Expert
Starting to build up the streak again, ha ha. Make this one in a row. Covering Adelaide v West Coast tomorrow, let's make it two.
Josh
Expert
Patrick Ryder, Michael Hurley decent for the Dons, Dyson Heppell was good too but not enough when they needed it. Luke Parker and Ben McGlynn were impressive for the Swans, really the keys to them winning the game, McGlynn kicked two ripping goals. Heath Grundy kept Jake Carlisle out of the goal in an impressive shut-down job. Adam Goodes wound the clock back a little further too, with two majors.
Josh
Expert
Well a comfortable win for the Swans in the end. They got about 20 points ahead, and stayed about 20 points ahead - not exactly super-exciting stuff. Bombers showed a bit of fight at time but never really got within striking distance.
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME SYDNEY 11.13.79 ESSENDON 8.8.56
Josh
Expert
GOAL ESSENDON Late consolation goal to Essendon, Michael Hurley takes an odd mark straight in front of goal and slots it. SYDNEY 11.13.79 ESSENDON 8.8.56
Josh
Expert
GOAL SYDNEY Ben McGlynn snags a second goal out of play, and with less than two minutes left to play, this one is all over with the Swans holding a 29 point margin. SYDNEY 11.13.79 ESSENDON 7.8.50
Josh
Expert
BEHIND SYDNEY Adam Goodes has a shot out of play, misses. SYDNEY 10.13.73 ESSENDON 7.8.50
Josh
Expert
BEHIND SYDNEY Luke Parker peels one out of the pack to have a shot, and sends it straight into the post. SYDNEY 10.12.72 ESSENDON 7.8.50
Josh
Expert
GOAL SYDNEY Adam Goodes gets paid a free for being held, about 20m out directly in front, and he slots his second goal of the afternoon. The lead goes out to 21 points with about five minutes left in, which should settle Sydney's stomachs. SYDNEY 10.11.71 ESSENDON 7.8.50
Josh
Expert
Time down to 8 minutes, with the Swans still leading by 15.
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ESSENDON Rushed behind to the Bombers. About 10 minutes left in the game. SYDNEY 9.11.65 ESSENDON 7.8.50
Josh
Expert
BEHIND SYDNEY Gary Rohan has a shot out of play, misses. SYDNEY 9.11.65 ESSENDON 7.7.49
Josh
Expert
BEHIND SYDNEY Rushed behind Swans. SYDNEY 9.10.64 ESSENDON 7.7.49
Josh
Expert
GOAL ESSENDON Bombers in with a chance still as Dyson Heppell marks and goals. The lead is trimmed back to 14 points, and there's about fourteen and a half minutes left in this final term, so plenty of time. SYDNEY 9.9.63 ESSENDON 7.7.49
Josh
Expert
BEHIND SYDNEY Rushed behind to the Swans. 15 minutes left on the clock. SYDNEY 9.9.63 ESSENDON 6.7.43
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ESSENDON Cory Dell'Olio has a set shot from a tricky angle, isn't able to convert. SYDNEY 9.8.62 ESSENDON 6.7.43
Josh
Expert
Final term, here we go!
Josh
Expert
Well the Bombers made their move in that quarter with a run of three straight goals and got it back to 10 points, but the Swans fought back with some late goals to extend it back out to a comfortable 20 point lead. It's not undoable, but I don't see the Bombers taking the lead from here - it seems like their best is just about enough to match it with the Swans, but not enough to overcome them. Still, anything could happen.
Josh
Expert
3-QUARTER TIME SYDNEY 9.8.62 ESSENDON 6.6.42
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ESSENDON Oof! Brent Stanton kicks what would've been an incredibly good goal out of mid air, but it's just a behind. SYDNEY 9.8.62 ESSENDON 6.6.42