Sydney have all but clinched the minor premiership after humbling Essendon by 39 points at Marvel Stadium to end the Bombers’ slim finals chances.
After a scrappy first half, the Swans found form by slamming through six goals to one in the third quarter, turning a seven-point deficit into a 21-point lead by the final break.
Sydney powered to a 15.8 (98) to 8.11 (59) win – their second-straight victory after losing five of their previous six matches before beating Collingwood last Friday night – on the back of kicking 12 goals to four after halftime.
Swans coach John Longmire labelled the second-half as “outstanding”.
“I don’t think that first-half will go down in the history books, but that makes it even better and more satisfying a lot of ways,” he said.
“Some of the games we’ve been able to win this year, we’ve been able to win with really strong, dominant performances from early on and we’ve been able to fizz the ball around.
“Probably last week’s battle that we had and and our ability to hang in and comeback, and tonight’s was even more pleasing.”
Essendon’s night was summed up by spearhead Jake Stringer spraying an easy set shot after the three-quarter time siren that would have given them confidence heading into the final quarter.
Just as he did late against the Magpies, star midfielder Isaac Heeney stepped up with a brilliant second-half to lift the Swans.
Heeney had just five possessions at halftime, but fired in the third quarter with 12 touches and a goal.
Despite being ineligible for the Brownlow Medal due to suspension, Heeney will likely poll another three votes after finishing with 22 disposals and three goals.
Resurgent former captain Luke Parker played a crucial role up forward with three goals, while current skipper Callum Mills was vital down back in his best outing since returning from injury five weeks ago.
Sydney (16-6) will finish on top of the ladder for the first time since 2016 unless they lose against Adelaide next week, and Port Adelaide, GWS or Geelong win their remaining two games, as well as making up a sizeable percentage gap.
Essendon sat in the top four just six weeks ago, but another late-season stumble – they have lost six of their last eight games – means they will miss finals ahead of a trip to the Gabba against the Brisbane Lions next Saturday night that will bring their campaign to a close.
The Bombers haven’t played finals since 2021, and their last post-season win came back in 2004.
It is a painful end to what had again loomed as a promising season.
Essendon dominated the first-half, having 37 inside-50s to Sydney’s 18 in the first-half, but for all their hard work could only manage 4.5 and left the Swans in the contest.
“Unfortunately, it’s been a bit of a trend in our season,” Scott said.
“You got the feeling that if you don’t take your opportunities, they’re going to take theirs at some stage, which they (Sydney) did.
“The players are incredibly frustrated at doing all the hard work and not having the the ability to finish that work with our connection inside-50.”
Former captain Dyson Heppell was left out of the team, despite during the week announcing his retirement at season’s end.
Instead of helping Essendon in the defensive 50, he was given a farewell to his home supporters before the game.
Nic Martin was comfortably the Bombers’ best player, kicking three goals – including the first two of the match – and had a game-high 32 possessions.
