AFL live: Bombers hold on after thrilling final term against undisciplined Swans; Merrett incident to face scrutiny
The Bombers sing the song after their hard-fought win.Credit: Getty Images
Essendon are a work in progress, that much has been made clear so far in 2025, but in the second term of their win over Sydney on Saturday, the Bombers gave their faithful a look at what they could yet become.
The Bombers were irresistible during that term as they kicked goals from all parts, some via defensive pressure, some through taking split-second chances, and one flowing move from defence which saw a flurry of aggressive handballs end with Archie Perkins booting a goal from open play
That six-goal-to-one quarter set up an eight-point win over an undisciplined and disappointing Swans, who mounted a late comeback attempt but let themselves too much to do in front of 43,799 fans at Marvel Stadium.
Zach Merrett’s late clash with Nick Blakey, which left the Swans star in the rooms undergoing a head injury assessment, could see the Dons captain in trouble when the match review findings drop on Sunday.
The Swans never looked comfortable. They also conceded six 50-metre penalties. Whatever they were doing wrong on the mark has to be fixed as the umpires are clearly on to it.
Zach Reid, Merrett, Mason Redman and Andrew McGrath were among the best for Essendon. Sam Durham was too, while they had winners in every part of the ground as the lesser-known Dons made a good fist of their roles.
While the returning Jye Caldwell showed his usual hard edge, the one moment of heartbreak for Essendon came in the third term when first-gamer Lewis Hayes, who took two years in the VFL to earn a debut, landed awkwardly as his knee buckled under him.
He was helped off the ground, scans will tell the tale, but it looked bad on replay.
The Swans looked off the mark from the start as they gave up four 50-metre penalties in the opening term, which directly led to three Essendon goals – two of them to Nate Caddy.
The visitors gave up another just minutes into the second term and their rearguard couldn’t hold the Dons back as they booted six goals straight and built a 39-point lead at half-time.
