Swans Stun Bombers | Thebigtip

Sunday 3rd of April
ANZ Stadium
Sydney vs. Essendon
Swans by 5 points

Sydney
1.5.11
6.8.44
10.11.71
14.14.98

Essendon
4.4.28
8.7.55
12.9.81
13.15.93

Goals
Sydney Swans: McGlynn (3), Bolton (3), White (2), Bevan (2), Goodes, Kennedy, Rohan, O’Keefe
Essendon: Ryder (2), Crameri (2), Winderlich (2), Hurley (2), Jetta, Davey, Hocking, McVeigh

Bests
Sydney Swans: Goodes, Bevan, Bolton, McGlynn, O’Keefe, Grundy, Hannebery
Essendon: Watson, Stanton, Hurley, Heppell, Bellchambers, Ryder, Davey

Injuries
Sydney Swans: Nil
Essendon: Hille (hip) replaced by Alwyn Davey

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 28,082


In what was one of the better matches of football in the last decade, the Sydney Swans pipped the red-hot Essendon Bombers at the post, recording a 5 point win.

The contest that nobody could predict was capped off with a marvelous final quarter in which the lead fluctuated, but it was Swan Jude Bolton that made the difference on the scoreboard.

Although the Swans managed the first four scoring shots of the game, the Bombers were rampant in the first quarter to lead by 17 points. Poor kicking by Sydney had them behind the eight ball from the get go.

Sydney showed some resiliance in the second quarter but, despite a late surge from the Swans, the wiley Essendon outfit took their 11 point lead into half time. A spread of 7 goal scorers for the Bombers gave Essendon fans another reason to smile at the break, but the Swans kicking the last three goals of the quarter meant game on in the second half.

The Swans has an apparent change of emphasis in the third quarter as they came out with all guns blazing to kick the first two goals of the term. The lead didn't last long as Jobe Watson added a goal to his terrific game. Goals to McVeigh and Crameri gave the Bombers a bit more breathing space. When Winderlich goaled with 24 minutes gone, it looked as though the Bombers were going to shut out the Swans, but a strong attacking effort from Sydney to score two late goals had the margin at only 10 points.

Essendon brought on substitute Nathan Lovett-Murray to inject some spark into the tiring Bomber bodies but it was the Swans who put through the first two goals, much like the third term, to take the lead in the contest thanks to Ryan O'Keefe and Ben McGlynn. Michael Hurley regained the lead for the Bombers with a bit of magic but the scores were level minutes after as Ben McGlynn put through another.

Both teams traded behinds and the Bombers took a one point advantage as the clock continued to roll over the minutes. Josh Kennedy had the chance to level the scores or take the lead but put it on the full, but a superb piece of tackling by Jude Bolton awarded the Swans with the free kick and the lead. A last chance effort for the Bombers who received a rushed behind. Ben McGlynn missed another shot on goal up the other end, but the Swans rejoiced as the siren sounded for a huge win, their first for the season.

To say the least, Essendon will be extremely disappointed that they didn't finish off Sydney when they had the chance. The Swans' highest lead of the game was only 10 points and for the majority of the game, Essendon were ahead. To drop the game in the final quarter is more than disappointing for all involved with the Essendon Football Club.