Bombers lift in final term to deny Swans

ESSENDON

Goals: Zaharakis 3, McKernan 2, Stringer 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Fantasia, Parish, Langford. Best: Shiel, Zaharakis, Parish, Saad, Hurley

SYDNEY

Goals: Reid 2, Parker 2, Blakey, Jones, Papley, Rose, McCartin. Best: Heeney, Kennedy, Rampe, Hewett, Aliir ESSENDON have overcome the late withdrawal of star skipper Dyson Heppell and a stern challenge by Sydney to score a gritty 10-point win at the MCG.

The Swans led by three points at three-quarter time, but the Bombers sprang to life to boot four goals straight early in yesterday’s final term to set up an 11.10 (76) to 9.12 (66) win in front of 60,199 fans.

The victory was the resurgent Essendon’s fourth in their past five matches and snapped a run of three wins for Sydney, whose last victory against the Bombers at the MCG was in 1923.

Heppell was ruled out with a sore foot before the opening bounce, but Dylan Shiel (29 possessions), Darcy Parish (22) and David Zaharakis (22 touches and three goals) stepped up in his absence.

Josh Kennedy was outstanding for the Swans with 35 disposals, as was Isaac Heeney with 33. But, with Lance Franklin still absent due to a hamstring injury, they struggled to find a focal point in attack.

Both sides were missing No.1 ruckmen, with backups Zac Clarke and Aliir Aliir doing the job at the stoppages.

Clarke had just one handball to three-quarter time, but redeemed himself to some extent in the final term when he provided a stronger presence.