Sydney fell short in a thrilling match against Essendon on Saturday, ending in a narrow eight-point loss after a late surge that saw them score the final four goals. Despite this final push, the Swans were ultimately let down by their poor goal-kicking, finishing the game at 11.5 (71) to Essendon’s 8.15 (63). With this defeat, Sydney’s record now stands at 3-6, whereas Essendon improves to 5-3, climbing to eighth place on the ladder.
The match highlighted Sydney’s struggles in front of goal. A pivotal moment came in the third quarter when Aaron Francis squandered a golden opportunity, missing an easy shot after winning a ground ball. Commentator Anthony Hudson described it as “one of the great misses of all time.” This crucial miss exemplified the Swans’ goal-kicking woes.
Coach Dean Cox was visibly frustrated, especially when Justin McInerney failed to capitalise on an open pass to teammate Caiden Cleary in the dying minutes of the game, worsening their chances of a comeback as they trailed by 15 points. Earlier, a tackle by Essendon’s Sam Durham on star Swans midfielder Chad Warner halted Sydney’s momentum when Warner was pinged for holding the ball.
Essendon’s victory could be overshadowed by concerns regarding captain Zach Merrett, who is facing scrutiny for a high hit on Sydney defender Nick Blakey, who left the field for a head injury assessment.
Interestingly, all three of the Bombers’ early goals came from 50-metre penalties, showcasing their ability to capitalise on Sydney’s errors. Having won five of their last six matches, Essendon appears to be gaining momentum as they move towards the finals. Meanwhile, the Swans will need to reflect on their missed chances as they continue their season.