AFL round 23 LIVE: Surging Bombers jump Swans in desperate push for finals
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Key posts
Quarter time stats
Essendon had double the number of inside 50s as Sydney did…
QT: Essendon 3.1 (19) to Sydney 2.2 (14)
The Bombers dominated field position and inside 50s but they only have a single goal lead to show for it.
That shows how hard the Swans battled to get back into it and how Essendon were not able to turn those opportunities into goals.
Dyson Heppell was shown a lot of love by the Essendon fans when he was honoured pre-game ahead of his retirement at the end of the season.
Dyson Heppell expresses his love to Essendon’s faithful.Credit: Getty Images
Campbell goals for Swans
Braeden Campbell has snapped a goal from the boundary to bring his club with a kick.
Then soon after the bounce, the Dons gave up a 50m penalty at half-back and it sent the Swans forward again.
Logan McDonald could only offer a behind.
Dons 19, Swans 14 with 20 secs to go in Q1.
Draper adds to the lead
Few players fire up the Essendon faithful like Sam Draper and the big ruckman has just marked the ball and snapped it around his body for a goal.
The Dons are firing, Sydney are far from their best and Seven also reports that Will Hayward has banged his knee and is moving very poorly for the Swans.
Dons 19, Swans 7 with five mins to go in Q1.
The ‘edge’ is on for Essendon
By Andrew Wu
This has been a scrappy beginning to a game where both sides have plenty at stake.
The Bombers have made the better start, not just because they kicked the first two goals of the game.
They’re up 24-11 for contested possessions and 7-2 at clearance.
The Essendon Edge is on. The Swans need to get going.
Martin, Cleary trade goals
Nic Martin fired from outside 50m for his second goal this quarter.
But moments after the centre bounce, the Swans want forward and Caiden Cleary kicked his first goal of the night.
This is shaping up as a really competitive, tough match – as you would expect with so much at stake.
Dons 13, Swans 7 with seven mins to go in Q1.
Kyle Langford of the Bombers and Callum Mills of the Swans.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Martin puts Dons on the board
Nic Martin has snapped the first goal and Essendon’s fans are roaring.
It has been a tough week for them but they will take a little happiness from seeing such a competitive start from the home side.
Martin couldn’t reach for a mark but he chased the ball and received it back before snapping from close range.
Dons 6, Swans 1 with 11 mins to go in Q1.
Poor attacks from both sides
Joel Amarty’s wild kick into the forward line was just intercepted by Essendon while their attacks have been poor as well.
But Swans youngster Caden Cleary has opened the scoring with a behind.
Swans 1, Dons 0 with 14 mins to go in Q1.
Andrew McGrath warms up.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Your view: Who wins?
Play is underway at Marvel Stadium. The Dons are in their home colors, the Swans in their away white V jumper with red shorts.
Which AFL clubs concede the most early goals
Both Essendon and Sydney haven’t been good at shutting down opposition scoring early in quarters. Let’s see if either side can score early tonight.
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