Essendon travels to the Harbour City to continue its winning start to the season against the Swans at the SCG in a Saturday night showdown.
Sydney (2-0, 141.4%) have started the season in scintillating form and will look to resume it on home soil, having toppled 2023 top-four finishers Melbourne and Collingwood in their opening pair of fixtures.
The Bombers (1-0, 128.9%), meanwhile, are coming off a stirring season-opening win over Hawthorn but will be without multiple key contributors for an important bout.
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Despite initially being included in Brad Scott’s side, star midfielder Darcy Parish won’t play on Saturday night as he continues to nurse a hamstring concern.
Parish’s absence is compounded by Mason Redman’s suspension, Zach Reid’s soft-tissue setback and Matt Guelfi’s calf issue.
Fan-favourite ruckman Sam Draper, however, will return from a groin injury following three unscathed VFL outings, joining defender Jayden Laverde, rebounder Nick Hind and young onballer Ben Hobbs as Essendon’s Round 2 inclusions.
For the Bloods, Corey Warner has replaced Robbie Fox (calf) in John Longmire’s side.
Watch Sydney vs. Essendon live on Fox Footy (channel 504) or stream via Kayo from 7:30pm AEDT.
MATCH UPDATES
Essendon made a fast start, scoring quickly off the opening bounce as Zach Merrett made an immediate impact to help the visitors to an early 12-0 lead.
First it was Jade Gresham capitalising from a nice piece of play from Merrett before the Bombers skipper was involved again, as Nik Cox made it two quick goals for the fast-starting Dons.
There was drama to come, though, as Sydney’s Harry Cunningham was left in a bad way after a bump from Essendon’s Peter Wright, which saw both teams come together in tense scenes.
Cunningham was quickly subbed out of the game with Corey Warner injected into the contest.
Speaking in commentary for Channel 7, Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling said Wright would have a “big case to answer for” from the MRO.
“It was a huge hit,” Ling said.
“A huge collision. Straight away everyone on the ground knew Cunningham was in a lot of trouble.
“I don’t think it’s going to matter if it was a football act and a play on the ball. I think with the way everything shifted over the off-season with Brayden Maynard, I don’t think the AFL are going to care if it was a football act or not.
“I think they’re going to put the responsibility onto Peter Wright there and say he turned, bumped and got a player on the head and concussed him. I think he’s going to end up with a big case to answer for.”
Richmond legend Jack Riewoldt added his thoughts at quarter-time.
“He is (in trouble), and it’s a bit of an unfortunate one for Peter Wright, because he’s got eyes on the ball and then all of a sudden goes ‘something’s come into my peripherals, I’ve got to brace for contact now’,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.
“I think he’s going to be in trouble, it’s going to be interesting to see how the Match Review Officer views that.”
The Swans eventually hit back through Will Hayward, but it was still largely a strong start from Essendon as it kicked ahead by as much as 17 points.
That was until Hayward made it two goals, then a major from Hayden McLean and a free kick goal to Joel Amartey saw Sydney take the lead as the Swans started to really kick into gear.
Seven’s Alastair Nicholson called the clash “a spiteful contest” after Essendon ruckman Sam Draper gave away a 50-metre penalty, resulting in a Sydney goal.
Even Essendon runner and ex-Magpie Travis Cloke found a way to get involved!
A controversial Essendon goal added to the dramatic Saturday night fixture, with a Kyle Langford mark appearing to come out of bounds.
Then, an exceptional back-heel goal from Joel Amartey halfway through the second term had jaws dropping at the SCG. This game has had heaps!
The Swans took a slender four-point lead into the main break, with the starring Isaac Heeney leading allcomers with 19 disposals in the first half.
Speaking to Seven at half-time, Sydney’s Tom Papley claimed the Bombers were targeting the Swans away from the play.
“They’re trying to get after us, it’s all off the ball,” he told Matthew Ling while walking off the field.
“We’re just worried about the ball. We’ll keep being hard in the contest and get the job done.”
Errol Gulden dobbed a spectacular major from long distance, helping extend the Swans’ buffer.
A Jake Stringer snap kept the Dons within touching distance, before a Nick Blakey set shot pushed Sydney’s advantage back out to 17 points late in the third quarter.
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