The jury is still out if Sydney are truly back despite all but securing the minor premiership, but the Swans are everything Essendon are not: clean, efficient and up for the fight when the chips are down.
The jury is still out if Sydney are truly back despite all but securing the minor premiership, but the Swans are everything the Bombers are not: clean, efficient and up for the fight when the going gets tough.Getty Images
In the half they had total control of, they won by just seven points. In the half they lost control, they were outscored by nearly eight goals. When both sides were under pressure, the Swans were the team that “put the overalls on”, as their coach John Longmire said. This was due in part to system and personnel, though Scott was careful not to be overly critical of his forward line when they were receiving shoddy service – an issue that has plagued the side for years.For a ruck, Sam Draper makes a serviceable forward, but he cannot be their primary target. Peter Wright should be that player, but has lost his way and his spot in the side.
Jake Stringer and Jade Gresham are paid to take half chances but both missed their moments, combining for one goal three. Brad Scott, senior coach of the Essendon Bombers, speaks to the team during their match against the Sydney Swans.When the inevitable charge from the Swans came, the Bombers folded. From 20 inside-50s in the third term, the Swans piled on six goals, double what the Dons could manage from the same number in the first quarter, and another six goals from 10 entries in the last.
A passage of play in the first quarter summed up the gulf between the two teams. The Dons had smothered the Swans, keeping the ball in their forward 50 for some four or five minutes, but could not score. There was hardly a clean Swans possession.
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