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The Sydney Swans must bounce back when they travel to Etihad Stadium to take on the Essendon Bombers on Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:50pm AEST.
Essendon kicked away in the fourth term of their Saturday game at Etihad Stadium, to take a 29-point victory over Fremantle.
The Dockers led at the first two breaks, before Essendon’s stamina and fast transition overran the young side with a nine goal to four second-half.
Orazio Fantasia kicked five goals and Mitch Brown three, in an inaccurate goal-kicking day for the Bombers, who finished with 13 goals and 21 behinds.
Sydney blitzed the Gold Coast Suns in the first term at the SCG on Saturday, but from there Stuart Dew masterminded a record-breaking victory as the Swans lost to Gold Coast for the first time.
It was a dismal afternoon for Sydney who lost at home for the fifth time this year; Lance Franklin went goalless for the first time in 2018, and the team was held goalless in the second and third terms.
Sydney will need to respond on Friday night, and we can expect them to come out blood-boiling with a point to prove.
Essendon have made three changes for the Friday night clash; Travis Colyer and Ben McNiece have been omitted, while Shaun McKernan will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Dockers.
Conor McKenna, Jake Stringer and Aaron Francis have been included in the side.
This will be Aaron Francis’ first AFL game for the year, following some steady form in the VFL after an interrupted pre-season for mental health reasons.
There are two changes to Sydney’s line-up to face Essendon. Heath Grundy and Jordan Dawson come into the side, Harry Marsh and Darcy Cameron have been omitted.
The last time these two teams faced off was in an elimination final last year, Sydney convincingly beat the Bombers by 65-points at the SCG.
Mitch Brown will play his 50th AFL game on Friday night.
Prediction
The Swans sit in fourth place and their away form has been good, however Essendon must keep winning if they are any chance to play finals.
The betting odds favour the home side, but I think Sydney will use the pace of Etihad to their advantage and come away with a victory here.
It might be a close one, but by the final siren, Lance Franklin will have a couple goals, Josh Kennedy will have 30 disposals and the Swans will edge in front.
Sydney Swans by 11 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:50pm AEST.
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