This Friday night, the Essendon Bombers travel to the SCG to take on the Sydney Swans for an exciting clash. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match at 7:50pm (AEST).
Coming off the bye, Essendon will have a lot riding on this match, looking to cement their place in the top eight. With only one win separating themselves at eighth, and the 15th placed Carlton, the Bombers will be feeling the pinch in such a tightly contested season.
Their last match was a win against the fourth-placed Port Adelaide, destroying the Power to the tune of 70 points, so the Dons will be hoping to continue their momentum into the year.
For Sydney, they are coming back home after an incredible come-from-behind victory against Richmond at the MCG. After trailing by 36 points at one point during the game, the Swans stormed home, kicking the last 8 of 9 goals in the game to put themselves only a game outside the eight.
However, after a 0-6 start to the season, Sydney must keep winning to stay in touch with the top eight, and the finals. A win Friday night would see the Swans catapult themselves into the top eight for the first time this season.
Essendon – Zach Merrett
Close to All-Australian selection, if not a guarantee, Merrett has been the standout for the Bombers this year, and he ran riot against the Power a couple of weeks back, collecting 38 disposals, along with 7 tackles and 11 score involvements. He will look to go big again to continue his good form.
Sydney – Josh Kennedy
JPK was not as effective as he would have liked to be last week, but the Swans captain has the most disposals, most contested possessions and most clearances for Sydney, so when he is in form, he is a dangerous player against any opposition.
While Essendon are doing better than anybody could have expected, their record away from home is not as strong. They have only won one game out of four that weren’t in Melbourne, that against the last-placed Brisbane Lions. Combined with that, Sydney is on a hot streak at the moment, and seemed to have found their groove. With the home crowd, I’m going Sydney to get up on Friday.
Sydney by 22 points.
Can Essendon cement their place inside the top eight? Or will Sydney continue their strong run of form and break into the eight for the first time this year? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
You can follow Dylan on Twitter @dylcarmody77.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes, very true, the Swans attract more fans in an ordinary game than the biggest NRL games played.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Justice was finally done, those two goals that were ruled behinds were unjust for the Swans. Great win and the Swans were magnificent.
Mitcher
Guest
Look forward to reading more about this most epic of epics when the Eds post. Or even just at least rip the AAP yarn onto the page...
Mitcher
Guest
Great call Dylan. Exactly what was going through my head at the ground
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The touched ball on the goal line is an interesting one. In both instances the bloke touching the ball is out of the field of play and makes contact with the part of the ball that has already crossed the line.
Sydneygirl
Guest
Incredible atmosphere. Where we were everyone went wild the moment Rohan took the Mark even before he went back for the kick. Good never given up attitude Sydney.
Mark
Guest
Nick Davis says hi
Mark
Guest
Essendon actually kicked 7 of the last 10.
JR
Guest
For what looked liked perfect conditions it certainly played out like wet weather footy. Someone leave the sprinklers on trying to slow Essendons pace?
Col in paradise
Guest
Was also there n your right the place buzzed - erupted everyone thought the swans where done ....amazing last quarter
Angela
Guest
I was there. Most people stayed. After the siren was like a New Years Eve party. Incredible atmosphere. Swans have a huge following in Sydney.
Perry Bridge
Guest
The classic 7 pt play!! Great game - - really good. Friday night footy at its best. Hard fought. Ebbs and flows. Thought the Swans when they went 4 goals clear in the 3rd that they might pull away and then the Bombres went on a run and looked to have the game in their keeping. Even when Daniher took that ripper mark you thought they would hold on. For Rohan - - how good is that - the mark in the goal square. Can't miss unless you fall over.... speaking of which, they cut the grass too long again. Moron Sydney grounds staff.
Swannies
Guest
Feel a slight tinge of sorrow for the Bombers though. Must be gut wrenching to lose like that!
Alicesprings
Guest
What a game!! And go w did Essendon let it go?? Reminded me of the Syd v Geel final a few years back. Also I reckon at least 5k swans fans missed it as well!!..never leave until the final siren!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Definitely thinking that way. Footy is a funny game. Two Buddy misses puts Swans 5 points down instead of 7, then Rohan kicks the winner.
Hyena
Guest
Interesting thought. If buddy got that goal instead of the behind in the last minute. It's a centre square bounce instead of the kick in which Papley smothers. Odds are we then draw instead of win. I think first time we are glad Buddy missed. ?
Bill larkin
Guest
Best come from behind win ever
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Match Report: Sydney has won an absolute thriller at the SCG to keep their season alive, defeating Essendon by one point after Gary Rohan kicked a goal after the siren. In a somewhat sloppy game, Sydney was in the lead for most of the game, before launching a third quarter assault where they went up by 24 points. Essendon were able to pin them back, however, with two late goals to go into the last term by 12 points down, before themselves going on a tear, kicking seven of the last nine goals of the game. Up by 19 points with only 5 minutes left, the Bombers looked to have broken their SCG hoodoo, before Oliver Florent and Nic Newman brought the Swans to within a goal. Lance Franklin missed twice late, in a disappointing game for him, kicking 0.6, but those misses would prove to be important, with a final passage of play in the last thirty seconds enabled Gary Rohan to somehow out-body his opponent on the goal line to go back and kick the match-winning goal after the siren. It is the second time in two weeks that Gary Rohan has been the hero, with his late match-sealer against Richmond also giving Swans fans reason to celebrate. Goal-kicking was a problem for both sides, but mostly for the Swans, whose final score of 11.20 being a small worry for coach John Longmire next week. It was a heartbreaking end for Essendon, who were looking to stamp their credentials as finals contenders, as well as cementing their place in the top eight. They now sit at ninth, and could slide further down by the end of the round. For Sydney, they are now in the top eight for the first time this season, and look to be a genuine finals threat. Remarkably, Sydney has won six of their last seven games, and sits at eight after starting the season at 0-6. The best for the Swans were Josh Kennedy with 36 disposals, as well as Jake Lloyd, Dan Hannebery and Isaac Heeney. Essendon’s own best were Zach Merrett with 32 disposals of his own, and Michael Hurley, David Zaharakis and Joe Daniher all impressed. Sydney will now travel down to the MCG next Friday night, where they will take on a strong Melbourne outfit, whilst Essendon will host Brisbane at Etihad Stadium next Sunday. Final score Sydney 11.20 86 Essendon 12.13 85
anon
Roar Pro
That's karma.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Wtf?!? Most bizarre game ever.