Sydney can virtually clinch the minor premiership but must take down an Essendon side playing for its season without superstar Chad Warner (calf) to open Round 23.
The Bombers (11-9-1, 96%) need to win at least one, and probably both, of their remaining games to play finals – and will be extra motivated against a Sydney side with whom they shared a fiery clash earlier this season at the SCG.
The Swans (15-6, 124.9%) will be only a mathematical chance of missing the minor premiership if they win tonight; but a loss would put them at risk of dropping out of the top four entirely.
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The Swans will be without Chad Warner (calf) and Robbie Fox (shoulder) for the match, with Lewis Melican and Corey Warner recalled in their place.
As for the Bombers, Sam Weideman will play his first game of 2024 as teammate Archie Perkins also comes in for the home side.
Nik Cox (concussion) has made way, while Alwyn Davey Jnr has been omitted.
The game gets underway at 7:40pm from Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl, from 6:30pm.
ESSENDON v SYDNEY – LIVE UPDATES
There were no late changes for either side, with Jye Menzie (Bombers) and Corey Warner (Swans) the respective substitutes for each team.
It took 10 and a half minutes, but the Bombers finally kicked the first goal of the game after a slow start from both sides – courtesy of Nic Martin sneaking up forward.
And it didn’t take long for him to convert again, kicking from 55 metres out to nail Essendon’s second and give them the early boost.
Sydney’s Caiden Cleary had the instant reply though, snapping beautifully less than 30 seconds later for his second career goal and his side’s first of the night.
In incredible scenes, Bombers ruck Sam Draper decided to snap from a set shot directly in front of goal, but managed to convert for his side’s third.
Swan Braeden Campbell snapped a ripping goal from the left forward pocket to narrow the margin, but yet again in 2024, Sydney trailed their opponents at the first break.
The scorecard read: Essendon 3.1 (19) leading Essendon 2.2 (14).
Dylan Shiel led the match for disposals with nine of his own, while Darcy Parish’s three inside 50s was also a game high.
Nick Blakey had four intercept possessions from his seven touches in the first term.
Jake Stringer kicked the first for the second quarter, with Sydney’s Luke Parker and Essendon’s Jade Gresham following up with minor scores.
After just one disposal in the opening quarter, Isaac Heeney nailed a set shot from distance to bring back the Swans’ deficit to just one goal halfway through the second quarter.
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