The Sydney Swans AFLW side have suffered a heartbreaking 4-point loss to Essendon in Round 8, fighting until the last minute but falling just short in the contest. 

The Swans surged late to get within four points, but the Bombers ultimately took the win 7.6 (48) to 7.2 (44) at Ikon Park in the AFLW Pride Round.

Early on it seemed that it would be a great opportunity for Essendon to get its controlling, attacking game back after recent losses. The Bombers were spreading well and finding space on the open side of the ground while their opponents were caught ball watching. But after dominating territory in the early minutes and goals from Cat Phillips and Daria Bannister, the Swans showed a bit of their own bite.  

In the opening term, Sydney kicked three goals through three different players and went into the first break just a point behind. Sarah Dargan kicked her first in the red and while, while both Sofia Hurley and Zoe Hurrell enjoyed the first of their careers. Hurrell's was particularly special, given it was her debut and 21st birthday. 

Cynthia Hamilton was also moved back to the forward line after spending recent weeks largely playing on the ball and provided a valuable target ahead of play for the Swans and kicked two important goals in the second quarter to break away. Thanks to their array of early goal kickers, the Swans surged to their equal-highest score in just the first half. 

Sydney's structure and ability to maintain it for most of the game was noticeable. In the past the Swans have been guilty of being drawn to the ball and exposed off the back of that, but against the Bombers they were far more disciplined for longer periods of time.

But when they lapsed, Essendon capitalised with experienced players like Phillips and Sophie Van De Heuvel identifying the space and, most importantly, hit up by their teammates.

"Our shape behind the ball has been reasonable all year and it's no secret we don't throw numbers behind the ball. It's not our go, we want to learn to win," Senior Coach Scott Gowans said after the game.

"To do that, you need to have connection with your forwards so we deliberately went away with what we have done the first couple of rounds, which was more of a ballistic style of forward play, into actual roles with the forwards which i think has worked a lot better.

"I thought it worked really well. We trained it during the week using our wings to be able to spread the ground and I thought it was a win for us today." 

Sydney midfielder Bridie Kennedy spent the first half running with former Carlton teammate Maddy Prespakis before Paige Sheppard was handed a tagging role on the Essendon star, while former Melbourne players Cat Phillips and Aliesha Newman also went head-to-head.  

Each side enjoyed three multiple goal kickers, while Prespakis led starred in the middle with 22 disposals and eight clearances, and emerging talent Amber Clarke registered 417 metres gained from her 10 disposals. 

Gowans said some of the different rotations of players across the ground was part of the side's wider philosophy and improvements. 

"It was the way we wanted to play the game. We had a robust discussion in the coaches box about trying to win the game versus trying to get out what we are trying to get out of the game," Gowans said.

"If you are on a journey, and it's a bout the process, then no matter what the scoreboard says you have to stick to that.

"That was always in the plan with those players, Sofia Hurley and Zoe Hurrell, being wing forwards. 

"You either do it or you don't, and I am all in on it and I am all in on building something for next season and you can't switch it off just because you are in a game all of a sudden so that was our philosophy."

Sydney now remains winless eight games into its AFLW life, but will be buoyed by its strongest performance yet, meanwhile Essendon sits just one game outside of the top eight with a healthy percentage of 103.1. 

ESSENDON       3.1     3.3     6.6     7.6     (48)  
SYDNEY            3.0     5.1     5.2     7.2     (44)  

GOALS  
Essendon: Bannister 2, Phillips 2, Alexander 2, Toogood 
Sydney: Dargan 2, C.Hamilton 2, Hurley 2, Hurrell 

BEST   
Essendon: Clarke, Toogood, Alexander, Prespakis 
Sydney: Hurley, C.Hamilton, Dargan, Szigeti 

INJURIES   
Essendon: Nil 
Sydney: Nil 

LATE CHANGES 
Essendon: Georgia Gee (illness) replaced in selected side by Jordan Zanchetta 
Sydney: Nil 

Reports: Nil