Sydney Swans score tight win over Essendon Bombers

IT was as agonising as it was exciting. Sydney Swans are on top of the table, but it was one hell of a ride to get there.

Hannerbery and Johnson

IT was as agonising as it was exciting. Sydney Swans are on top of the table, but it was one hell of a ride to get there.

Collingwood can knock them off their perch tomorrow when they play Melbourne, but the Swans can enjoy the view from the top until then.

Last night's four-point victory over Essendon would have aged coach John Longmire several years - not to mention what it would have done to the players.

It was hard to know whether it was a win to celebrate or a warning to Sydney that they can't take their foot off the gas against an opponent that went within a kick of pulling off the greatest last-quarter comeback in AFL history.

Leading by 47 points at the last change, surely the four points were in the back pocket - maybe that was the problem.

Courtney Dempsey should have had the chance to kick for a goal and a Bombers victory from 50m but he played on as the siren sounded.

It was a crazy end to a match that defied belief at times.

Led by Kieren Jack in his 100th game and Lewis Jetta, who is in career-best form, the Swans led at every change and go into the bye weekend with eight wins and just three losses.

What started out as a regulation win turned into one of the most amazing 30 minutes of the season.

For three quarters, Jetta ran the Bombers ragged, landing a 55m bomb for his opening goal.

Sam Reid was spot on from an acute angle and Andrejs Everitt slotted a lovely running goal. Sydney were on a roll.

A second from Reid and a 55m effort from ruckman Shane Mumford put the Swans 22 points up at the first change.

They were out-tackling, out-enthusing and out-playing the Bombers.

Even the lesser lights were shining. Tony Armstrong was playing his best game for the Swans as he gathered 12 possessions in the opening term.

Jude Bolton, picking up from last week's career-high 42 disposals, dominated contested possessions.

The pressure was telling, forcing Essendon into rushed shots at goal and they opened the second quarter with two bad misses.

Nothing was going wrong for Sydney as Rhyce Shaw punished a bad turnover and Bolton put a big hit on Bombers skipper Jobe Watson to set the tempo.

It was Swans football: hard and uncompromising.

The lead was 37 points by halftime. It was pushed out by a further 10 at the final change.

And then it all changed as Sydney were forced to cling on at the death.

The last 100 seconds was packed full of drama as the Bombers stormed within range several times before Dempsey fluffed his lines and Sydney somehow survived.

Jack and Reid added doubles. But Jetta was their best with three goals. He has become a real match-winner.

With Adam Goodes due to return, Sydney look well placed for a charge at the top four, but the coaching staff would like a smoother night's work.

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