AFL round 23: Essendon v Sydney, scores, full stats and SuperCoach points

Sydney has locked in the AFL’s minor premiership after overcoming another sluggish start to end Essendon’s hopes of a miracle finals charge.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUG 16: The Swans sing the team song during the 2024 AFL Round 23 match between Essendon Bombers and the Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium on August 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

They snoozed right through another first half, but the Swans showed they still have a higher gear than any rival with a brutal flex of the muscles to clinch the minor premiership.

Sydney gave Essendon every chance to save its season after coughing up an eye-watering 37 inside 50s to halftime, but the Bombers could not make them pay and trudged off 39-point losers at Marvel Stadium.

PLAYER RATINGS: EVERY SWAN, BOMBER RATED

The Swans have only won two opening quarters since round 10 and alarm bells will be ringing that their starts remain so poor, but a commanding 12-goal second half led by Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden signalled a welcome return to their best as they sealed top spot on the ladder.

Sydney players soak up their win which sealed top spot. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Heeney had 12 disposals and a goal in a blistering third term as a frustrated Essendon wilted to only record 17 more forward entries after the main break.

Nick Bryan and Sam Draper had Brodie Grundy’s measure early in the middle of the ground, but for all their early clearance and territory dominance, the Bombers only led by a kick at each of the first two breaks and saw their lead completely evaporate when Luke Parker and Braeden Campbell drilled home goals from 50m early in the third term.

Joel Amartey put an exclamation mark on the Swans’ second-half display when he slammed through a left-foot goal from a tight angle as he was heaved to the ground in a Ben McKay tackle.

Sam Draper tries to get away from Matt Roberts and Dane Rampe. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

DRAPER CHANGES TACT

Essendon ruckman Sam Draper clearly decided enough was enough after missing a pair of sitters against Gold Coast last week.

Lining up for a set shot 20m out directly in front during the first term, Bombers fans made sure their anxiety was heard when Draper went side-on to goal and prepared for a checkside.

But the ruckman finished it calmly and looked vindicated in his technique change given he has been no certainty from the top of the goal square this season with the traditional drop punt.

Caiden Cleary was a standout in a sluggish first half by Sydney. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

CLEARY COMES GOOD

Caiden Cleary was the Swans’ only dynamic forward for much of the first half as he buzzed around in his first full appearance after three games as the sub.

He was nervy early and missed a set shot before dropping a chest mark at halfback which allowed the Bombers their first goal.

But in an error-riddled first half, the No. 24 pick in last year’s draft looked a class above moments later when he curled through a snap goal off two steps from 40 metres out – the second major of his career.

That is pure from Braeden Campbell 🫡#AFLDonsSwanspic.twitter.com/31jH85FAnf

— AFL (@AFL) August 16, 2024

BANANA ENTHUSIAST

Cleary’s finish wasn’t the only moment of brilliance that kept the Swans in touching distance when they really had no right – left-footer Braeden Campbell had the Bloods faithful on their feet with a stunning banana goal from the fence which brought them back within a kick before quarter-time.

Rotating between a wing and deep forward, Campbell troubled the Bombers defenders with his leg speed and came from the clouds to pin Jake Kelly holding the ball only 15m out from goal in the second term.

The 22-year-old loved the connection of his first banana so much that he tried it again with too little room to bend the ball, but his miss didn’t cost the Swans.