AFL round 23: Chris Cavanagh analyses Sydney’s win over Essendon

Essendon has crashed out of finals contention after a loss to Sydney which followed an all-time familiar pattern that Bombers fans have become accustomed to.

Sydney's James Jordon celebrates kicking a goal in front of the fans during the AFL Round 2 match between the Sydney Swans and Essendon Bombers at the SCG on March 23, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – Phil Hillyard **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

There was an Olympic skateboarder in the Essendon rooms pre-game on Friday night, but there was no 180-flip that followed from the Bombers.

Frustrated fans at Marvel Stadium must have been wondering if they’d travelled six days back in time as they sat in disbelief watching the same old problems against Sydney.

It seemed Essendon had learnt little from an after-the-siren loss to the Gold Coast Suns the previous weekend, where the Bombers logged 19 inside-50s in the last quarter for a return of 1.9 (15).

EVERY PLAYER RATED: WHO STARRED, FLOPPED FOR DONS, SWANS?

In the first half against the Swans they put up 37 inside-50s for a measly 4.5 (29).

That’s a total of 5.14 (44) from 56 inside-50s across three quarters of footy – or one goal from every 11 entries.

It’s been an issue all season and is the reason why Essendon won’t feature in finals this September.

Zach Merrett sums up the Bombers mood at full-time. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

When asked about the forward connection on Fox Footy pre-game, coach Brad Scott said “if you’re going to have issues, it’s probably one of the good ones”.

It’s true that you would rather have territory than having the game live in your back half, but even Scott must have been groaning as scoring opportunities were continually wasted.

The coach had vowed that his team would “fight like our life depends on it” in this match – and they did early.

Braeden Campbell has been superb!#AFLDonsSwanspic.twitter.com/6oA6dtrm9v

— AFL (@AFL) August 16, 2024

In almost every aspect of the game, the Bombers had the Swans on toast at halftime.

Not only were they +19 in inside-50s, but they were also +4 in clearances, +5 in centre clearances and +17 in contested possessions.

In the last two week’s, Essendon had 116 inside 50’s and kicked 20.25. #AFLBombersSwans

— Brad Klibansky (@BradKlibansky) August 16, 2024

The Bombers were on top in the first half but struggled to convert their superiority. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Everything on the stats sheet suggested that Essendon should have been six or eight goals up on the scoreboard against a ladder-leader who was playing like a bottom-four outfit.

But Essendon’s execution by foot going inside-50 was poor, Sam Draper and Nate Caddy were the only players that looked like taking a mark and ground-level representation to crumb the loose ball or apply pressure was non-existent.

As a result, the Bombers took a mediocre seven-point advantage into the main break – and they should have known what was coming next.

They call the third quarter the ‘premiership quarter’ and the premiership favourites took the game up a level and left the home side in their wake.

Too cold Nic Martin 🥶#AFLDonsSwanspic.twitter.com/VwLQgMaTEh

— AFL (@AFL) August 16, 2024

Luke Parker helped lift the Swans to victory. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Led by leaders Isaac Heeney and Luke Parker, the Swans suddenly flicked a switch as their pressure lifted, they got their hands on the footy in the middle and they used the ball well going forward to set up scoring plays.

They won the quarter 6.3 to 1.5 and it was bye, bye, Bombers.

It was Sydney’s 16th third-quarter win of the season – the best record of any team – and the second half rout which saw the Swans run out 39-point victors proved as another reminder of just how dangerous this team can be when it’s on.

Now locked in for its first minor premiership since 2016, Sydney has one more game to finetune against Adelaide next Saturday night.

It expects to regain star midfielder Chad Warner for that match and then it’s on to September.

For Essendon, 2024 will go down as a 20th consecutive season without a finals win.

Scott has only been involved in the past two seasons, but still has a lot of work to do to get this mighty club back and firing with a level of consistency against the best sides.

Originally published as AFL round 23: Chris Cavanagh analyses Sydney’s win over Essendon