Essendon
102
Match Complete
Sydney Swans
109
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| D. Smith |  | 31:38 | ||
| P. Wright | | 27:46 | ||
| 25:15 | | C. Mills | ||
| 19:33 | | E. Gulden | ||
| N. Hind | | 16:53 | ||
| 14:24 | | N. Blakey | ||
| P. Wright |  | 12:55 | ||
| 11:19 | | J. P. Kennedy | ||
| D. Shiel | | 10:06 | ||
| 5:52 | | L. Franklin | ||
| 12.5 (77) | Third Quarter [+] | 12.7 (79) | ||
| 33:24 | | Rushed | ||
| T. Cutler | | 3:14 | ||
| 1:47 | | W. Hayward | ||
| Z. Merrett | | 30:29 | ||
| P. Wright | | 28:36 | ||
| 27:02 | | T. Papley | ||
| 24:55 | | T. Papley | ||
| J. Stringer | | 22:05 | ||
| 20:48 | | T. Papley | ||
| K. Langford | | 18:23 | ||
| 15:41 | | L. Parker | ||
| 13:11 | | S. Wicks | ||
| 11:26 | | L. Parker | ||
| Z. Merrett | | 6:43 | ||
| 1:12 | | W. Hayward | ||
| 0:35 | | Rushed | ||
| 6.5 (41) | Second Quarter [+] | 4.5 (29) | ||
| 27:59 | | L. Franklin | ||
| D. Clarke | | 21:19 | ||
| 18:30 | | S. Reid | ||
| 13:21 | | J. Dawson | ||
| A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | | 11:25 | ||
| K. Langford | | 9:11 | ||
| 8:24 | | T. Papley | ||
| Rushed | | 7:13 | ||
| 5:12 | | T. Hickey | ||
| A. Francis | | 4:07 | ||
| 0:35 | | S. Reid | ||
| 3.3 (21) | First Quarter [+] | 2.1 (13) | ||
| D. Smith | | 24:33 | ||
| D. Shiel | | 23:27 | ||
| D. Smith | | 21:37 | ||
| 19:02 | | L. Franklin | ||
| 12:37 | | L. Franklin | ||
| S. Draper | | 10:06 | ||
| 8:12 | | T. Papley | ||
| K. Langford | | 6:34 | ||
| J. Stringer | | 3:37 | ||
The Essendon Bombers are back in Melbourne after their clash with the Sydney Swans was dramatically shifted from the Gabba due to Queensland’s snap lockdown. Follow along with the action right here on The Roar with live scores from 3:10pm (AEST).
The AFL’s quick move to get the Bombers and Swans out of Queensland on the brink of the shutdown and to Melbourne has ensured this game can go ahead, against the odds.
The Bombers’ upset loss to GWS last week was a hammer blow to their chances of making finals. However, Ben Rutten’s team still sit ninth with a healthier percentage than the eighth-placed Giants and even the seventh-placed West Coast – but face a tricky final month to scrape into September.
Following the Swans, they face ladder-leaders the Western Bulldogs, before an easier final fortnight against Gold Coast and Collingwood. You suspect they’ll need to win one of their next two to have any chance of an unexpected finals berth.
Rutten has opted for youth to take on Sydney, with veterans Cale Hooker and David Zaharakis both dumped, while swingman Kyle Langford returns from a hamstring injury.
The Swans’ surge towards a top-four spot is gaining momentum by the week, with a big win over Fremantle their fourth on the trot. Now just a game and percentage behind the fourth-placed Port Adelaide, the Bloods are seen by many as a dark horse for the premiership – but lose here, and that precious double chance could be beyond their reach.
Controversially, they’ll have the services of champion forward Lance Franklin for this match, after they successfully overturned a one-match ban for striking the Dockers’ Luke Ryan. Having towelled the Bombers up in the past, a big game from Franklin would certainly frustrate the Dons – as well as many neutral observers.
Game information
Opening bounce: 3:10pm (AEST)
Venue: MCG
TV: 7mate, Fox Footy
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Bombers $3.05, Swans $1.37 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Essendon Bombers
B: 15 Jayden Laverde, 10 Aaron Francis, 27 Mason Redman
HB: 19 Nick Hind, 14 Jordan Ridley, 21 Dyson Heppell (c)
C: 13 Nik Cox, 7 Zach Merrett, 42 Sam Durham
HF: 16 Archie Perkins, 17 James Stewart, 5 Devon Smith
F: 25 Jake Stringer, 20 Peter Wright, 40 Will Snelling
FOL: 2 Sam Draper, 4 Kyle Langford, 3 Darcy Parish
I/C: 9 Dylan Shiel, 12 Tom Cutler, 37 Dylan Clarke, 43 Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
EMG: 24 Nick Bryan, 33 Brayden Ham, 35 Matt Guelfi, 45 Alec Waterman
IN: Aaron Francis, Dylan Clarke, Kyle Langford
OUT: Brayden Ham, Cale Hooker, David Zaharakis
Sydney Swans
B: 7 Harry Cunningham, 24 Dane Rampe (c), 42 Robbie Fox
HB: 34 Jordan Dawson, 30 Tom McCartin, 22 Nick Blakey
C: 27 Justin McInerney, 14 Callum Mills, 29 George Hewett
HF: 45 Sam Wicks, 5 Isaac Heeney, 9 Will Hayward
F: 11 Tom Papley, 23 Lance Franklin, 20 Sam Reid
FOL: 31 Tom Hickey, 26 Luke Parker (c), 21 Errol Gulden
I/C: 12 Josh Kennedy (c), 13 Oliver Florent, 32 James Bell, 44 Jake Lloyd
EMG: 3 Dylan Stephens, 15 Sam Gray, 18 Callum Sinclair, 38 Colin O’Riordan
IN: Callum Mills, Harry Cunningham
OUT: Ben Ronke, James Rowbottom
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
thats fair and logical but 12 year old me despised the Swans and its stuck well into adult hood it would appear haha
penguin
Roar Rookie
It's the Melbourne centric bias of the AFL that Swans fans despise, plus the fact that we got shafted in trades for 3 years after Buddy decided to choose us, because we are such a strong supportive club. No club currently handles changeovers in management or coaches or support staff better than us, or takes better psychological care of its players, except possibly Geelong. Give respect where it's due Chuck. And we had to put up with blatant racism for 2 years directed at one of our greatest players without a peep from the AFL in defence of Goodes or the Swans. In my experience Hawthorn supporters are the worst in terms of bullying and racism towards our players. Love your work btw.
dylillama
Roar Rookie
You’re a year or two off Chuck. Patience. Always close when we play, and that was a hell of game. Respect.
Rusty Brooks
Roar Rookie
I reckon every club has them, Chuck. But as the Swans heartland is the eastern suburbs of Sydney there would be quite a few who, depending on ladder position would also flip between the Waratahs and Roosters.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
24 years of Sydney Siders not understanding how the rules work is enough to make anyone cynical.
Angela
Roar Rookie
Oh, Chuckakhan, you've broken my heart :unhappy:
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
See I’m gonna differentiate here, south Melbourne supporters are fine, Sydney swans supporters yuck.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
I will go on port thread and stir joel
Maxy
Roar Rookie
You a legend mate,we have good banter and much respect from both sides,round 23 cant come fast enough :boxing: :boxing:
Dean
Roar Rookie
It was a major stuff up whoever it was. Can't have match winners on the bench in a close game.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
They obviously did
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Ha ha, he's alright, loves his club
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Vic v the rest mate,we are kicking some ass,wont go the other thread cause joel is there and its dinner time
Chanon
Roar Rookie
No never man your hatred for Victoria is way off the mark Those days are over l was no different when we had the Vic vs SA footy but those days are over! Each club don’t give a tuppence in regards to State pride we are all equal that’s what the AFL should represent today! Your passion for your club is the most important fabric that binds & makes us unique.Hub it sounds deep but that’s how l feel. Still sure our teams will be playing in the GF All the best & can’t wait for the banter to ramp up!
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Phew, I read that and it's been bugging me for the last 2 hours :laughing:
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I hope Truck didn’t have a hand in the interchange stuffups.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Better team won
Maxy
Roar Rookie
I am on Port all the way
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Came across that way but perhaps a draw might help :laughing:
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Ripper game with an even better result