Sydney Swans Overpower Essendon in Heated Showdown at SCG

Essendon’s winning start to the season has been halted, with the Swans proving too strong at the SCG in a Saturday night showdown — winning 19.17 (131) to 15.11 (101).

Sydney has started the season in scintillating form and continued it on home soil after toppling 2023 top-four finishers Melbourne and Collingwood in their opening pair of fixtures. The Bombers, meanwhile, catapulted from a stirring season-opening win over Hawthorn but were without multiple key contributors for Saturday’s important bout.

Despite initially being included in Brad Scott’s side, star midfielder Darcy Parish didn’t play on Saturday night as he continues to nurse a hamstring concern. Parish’s absence was compounded by Mason Redman’s suspension, Zach Reid’s soft-tissue setback, and Matt Guelfi’s calf issue.

Fan-favourite ruckman Sam Draper, however, returned from a groin injury following three unscathed VFL outings, joining defender Jayden Laverde, rebounder Nick Hind, and young onballer Ben Hobbs as Essendon’s Round 2 inclusions.

For the Bloods, Corey Warner replaced Robbie Fox (calf) in John Longmire’s side. Relive Sydney vs. Essendon in our blog below!

Essendon made a fast start, scoring quickly off the opening bounce as Zach Merrett made an immediate impact to help the visitors to an early 12-0 lead. First it was Jade Gresham capitalizing from a nice piece of play from Merrett before the Bombers skipper was involved again, as Nik Cox made it two quick goals for the fast-starting Dons.

There was drama to come, though, as Sydney’s Harry Cunningham was left in a bad way after a bump from Essendon’s Peter Wright, which saw both teams come together in tense scenes. Cunningham was quickly subbed out of the game with Corey Warner injected into the contest.

Richmond legend Jack Riewoldt added his thoughts at quarter-time, mentioning Wright would have a “big case to answer for” from the MRO. The Swans eventually hit back through Will Hayward, but it was still largely a strong start from Essendon as it kicked ahead by as much as 17 points.

The Swans took a slender four-point lead into the main break, with the starring Isaac Heeney leading all comers with 19 disposals in the first half. Speaking to Seven at half-time, Sydney’s Tom Papley claimed the Bombers were targeting the Swans away from the play.

Errol Gulden dobbed a spectacular major from long distance, helping extend the Swans’ buffer. A Jake Stringer snap kept the Dons within touching distance, before a Nick Blakey set shot pushed Sydney’s advantage back out to 17 points late in the third quarter.

The Swans took a 23-point lead into the final quarter thanks to a late Logan McDonald goal. Essendon staged a final-quarter comeback, with goals to Zach Merrett (two) and Jade Gresham bringing the deficit down to 11 points halfway through the quarter.

Sydney eventually secured a 30-point victory in a heated showdown at the SCG, with Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney, and Errol Gulden shining for the Swans in their win over Essendon.