- Bombers have fallen off the ladder
- Mathematically we can still make the AFL finals
- Could not take advantage of fast start
Sydney all but secured the minor premiership after beating Essendon by 39 points at Marvel Stadium to end the Bombers’ slim chances of reaching the finals.
After a scrappy first half, the Swans returned to form with a 6-1 third-quarter run to turn a seven-point deficit into a 21-point lead at halftime.
Sydney won 15.8 (98) to 8.11 (59) – their second straight win, having lost five of their previous six matches before beating Collingwood last Friday night – after leading 12-4 after half-time.
Swans coach John Longmire called the second half ‘excellent’.
“I don’t think the first half will go down in history, but in many ways that makes it better and more satisfying,” he said.
‘Some of the games we’ve won this year have been through strong, dominant performances from the start and we’ve been able to move the ball around well.
“Probably the fight last week, and our ability to hang in there and come back, and tonight was even more fun.”
The Bombers will regret what could have been after being knocked out of the final
Swans’ Dane Rampe and Isaac Heeney celebrate tying the AFL minor premiership
Essendon played a great game with captain Jake Stringer firing an easy shot after three quarters, giving Essendon confidence for the final quarter.
Just like against the Magpies, star player Isaac Heeney did an excellent job for the Swans in the second half.
Heeney had only five possessions at half-time, but in the third quarter he scored twelve times and a goal.
Despite being ineligible for the Brownlow Medal due to suspension, Heeney is likely to receive a further three votes after 22 possessions and three goals.
Resurrected former captain Luke Parker played a pivotal role in the attack with three goals, while current captain Callum Mills played a pivotal role in the attack in his best game since returning from injury five weeks ago.
Swans’ Oliver Florent celebrates his goal as Sydney secure the second-half win
Sydney (16-6) will finish top of the table for the first time since 2016 unless they lose to Adelaide next week and Port Adelaide, GWS or Geelong win their remaining two games to close a significant percentage gap.
Essendon were in the top four six weeks ago, but another late-season misstep – they have lost six of their last eight games – means they will miss out on the finals before their season-ending clash with the Brisbane Lions next Saturday night.
The Bombers have not played in the finals since 2021 and their last win in the play-offs dates back to 2004.
It’s a painful end to what looked like another promising season.
Former captain Dyson Heppell thanks the crowd after being dropped from the team following his announcement this week that he will retire at the end of the season
Essendon dominated the first half with 37 inside-50s to Sydney’s 18 in the first half, but despite all their hard work they only managed 4.5 and left the Swans in the game.
“Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a trend in our season,” Scott said.
“You feel like if you don’t take your chances, at some point they will take their chances, and they (Sydney) did.
‘The players are incredibly frustrated because they have to do all the hard work and they can’t finish it with our connection within 50.’
Former captain Dyson Heppell was left out of the team despite announcing last week that he would retire at the end of the season.
Instead of helping Essendon with the defensive 50 metres, he was given a farewell salute by his home fans before the match.
Nic Martin was by far the Bombers’ best player, scoring three goals, including the first two of the game, and having a game-high 32 possessions.