Bombers steeled for ‘final’

ESSENDON are bracing for a finals-like contest tonight, when they face

Sydney for the first time since losing last year’s lopsided AFL elimination final.

The Swans ended the Bombers’ 2017 campaign in clinical fashion at the SCG, booting 10 goals in the second quarter en route to a 65-point win. Lance Franklin, who has dominated Essendon throughout his career, kicked four goals alone during that second-term onslaught.

The stakes won’t be quite as high at Etihad Stadium but it’ll be the quintessential eightpoint game in a competitive race to September. The Bombers sit 11th on the ladder, having won five of their past six games to reignite finals hopes.

The Swans, who remain fourth after their shock loss to Gold Coast, risk tumbling out of the top eight if they lose.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to show how far we’ve come from last time we played them,” Bombers ruckman Tom Bellchambers said.