An inaccurate Sydney Swans were defeated by an energetic Essendon side on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.

The Swans had their chances and created plenty of opportunities but kicked 12.14 and were defeated by an efficient Bombers who managed 15.5.

Luke Parker (26) topped the disposals in his 250th game and Chad Warner was electric with three goals and 25 disposals while the McCartin brothers continued their strong form down back, but their efforts were not enough to get the Swans the points.

The Swans came out of the gates hard, but the Bombers found a new gear after quarter-time to wrestle back momentum and emerge victorious in the 15.5 (95) to 12.14 (86) contest.

BOMBERS v SWANS Full match coverage and stats

The Bombers barely got a look in during the first quarter, with the Swans booting five goals early goals to take an 18-point lead into the first change.

But the Bombers came back in the second, booting five goals in a row to wrestle the lead back, before a late goal from Sam Reid gave Sydney a four-point lead at the main break.

The Bombers got an ideal start to the second half, booting two goals to once again seize the lead.

The Swans had plenty of chances to put themselves in front but couldn’t find the big sticks, kicking 8 behinds before they finally broke the drought, kicking two goals late in the third to take an 11-point lead into the final change.

Both sides went goal for goal in the final term, until Jake Stringer strung two together, with Mason Redman booting a third to give the Bombers back the lead with six minutes left on the clock.

Kyle Langford followed with another of his own, but Sydney’s Chad Warner benefited from a double 50m penalty to bring the margin back to three points with just two minutes left on the clock.

But Nick Hind landed the knockout blow, capitalising on a scrappy Swans kick out of defence to kick the Bombers clear.