- Bombers have been falling down the stairs
- Mathematically they could still reach the AFL final
- Failed to take advantage of fast start
Sydney have all but secured the premiership after humiliating Essendon by 39 points at Marvel Stadium to end the Bombers’ slim chances of reaching the finals.
After a difficult first half, the Swans found their form by scoring six goals to one in the third quarter, turning a seven-point deficit into a 21-point lead at the final break.
Sydney cruised to a 15.8 (98) to 8.11 (59) victory, their second straight win after losing five of their previous six matches before beating Collingwood on Friday night, trailing 12 goals to four after half-time.
Swans coach John Longmire described the second half as “outstanding”.
“I don’t think that first half will go down in history, but that makes it even better and more satisfying in many ways,” he said.
‘Some of the games we’ve been able to win this year, we’ve been able to do so with really strong, dominant performances from the start and we’ve been able to get the ball rolling.
“Probably the battle we had last week and our ability to hang in there and come back, and tonight was even more rewarding.”
The Bombers will rue what might have been after falling out of finals contention.
Swans’ Dane Rampe and Isaac Heeney celebrate winning the AFL premiership
Essendon’s night was summed up by prop Jake Stringer scoring an easy shot after the third-quarter siren that would have given them confidence heading into the final quarter.
Just as he did at the end against the Magpies, star midfielder Isaac Heeney stepped up with a brilliant second half to lift the Swans.
Heeney had just five possessions at halftime, but fired up a third quarter with 12 touches and a goal.
Despite being ineligible for the Brownlow Medal due to suspension, Heeney is likely to pick up another three votes after finishing with 22 disposals and three goals.
Resurgent former captain Luke Parker played a crucial role in attack with three goals, while current captain Callum Mills was vital in defence in his best performance since returning from injury five weeks ago.
Swans’ Oliver Florent celebrates scoring his second-half Sydney-Swan goal
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, while clawing back a sizable percentage gap.
Essendon were in the top four just six weeks ago but another late-season stumble – they have lost six of their last eight games – means they will miss out on the finals before a trip to the Gabba against the Brisbane Lions next Saturday night will bring their campaign to a close.
The Bombers have not played in the finals since 2021, and their last postseason win was in 2004.
It is a painful end to what once again looked like a promising season.
Former captain Dyson Heppell thanks the crowd after being left out of the squad following his announcement this week that he will retire at the end of the season.
Essendon dominated the first half, scoring 37 inside 50s to Sydney’s 18 in the first half, but despite all their hard work could only manage 4.5 and leave the Swans in contention.
“Unfortunately, it’s been a trend in our season,” Scott said.
‘You had the feeling that if you didn’t take your chances, they would take theirs at some point, and that’s what they (Sydney) did.
‘Players are incredibly frustrated with doing all the hard work and not having the ability to finish that work with our connection within 50.’
Former captain Dyson Heppell has been left out of the squad, despite announcing his retirement at the end of the season earlier this week.
Instead of helping Essendon in the defensive end, he said goodbye to his home supporters before the match.
Nic Martin was comfortably the Bombers’ best player, kicking three goals, including the first two of the game, and had a game-high 32 possessions.