Essendon have defeated the Sydney Swans after a three-point win on Wednesday evening. 

The Swans lived in their front half for much of the game, but the Bombers' defence stood tall, resulting in the 4.3 (27) to 3.6 (24) victory under lights at Mission Whitten Oval.

Two late goals from Lucy McEvoy and Ella Heads had Sydney threatening to snatch the win out from under Essendon's nose, but it wasn't to be.

Paige Scott (15 disposals, one goal) was important in attack for the Bombers. Their attack at the footy was one thing, often proving to be the link between lines, but they were even better defensively. Their speed and energy to limit space and force errors from Sydney's defence was impressive, and exactly what Essendon needed in that part of the ground.

Meanwhile, defender-turned-forward Ellyse Gamble did the damage on the scoreboard, with two first-half goals to set up the victory.

Essendon was especially good at weathering the storm deep in defence, standing up to Sydney's barrage of inside 50s throughout the second half.

Georgia Clarke (15 disposals, six intercepts) and Amy Gaylor (15, six) were staunch on the last line, proving almost impossible for Sydney's attack to break through.

Too often was Rebecca Privitelli (one goal, six disposals) expected to compete with two or more Bombers, and although the forward fought hard, Essendon's numbers regularly won out.

The Swans opted to use Tanya Kennedy in a tagging role – one she made her brand last year – sending her to Bombers star Maddy Prespakis. While Prespakis still racked up 19 disposals, she wasn't able to be as clean or crafty as she typically is.

With Prespakis fighting that physical battle, Brooke Walker (22 disposals, 11 tackles) really made her presence known through the middle of the ground, as did Georgia Nanscawen (22 disposals, seven clearances).

But they had to contend with star Sydney duo Laura Gardiner (35 disposals, seven clearances) and Sofia Hurley (27 disposals, eight clearances), with the latter a cut above when it came to her ball use, especially around the contest.

Up next
Both teams now face a tight turnaround, with Essendon heading north to play Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Sunday, while Sydney will return home to host Geelong at Henson Park later that same day.

ESSENDON          0.1     3.2     4.3     4.3 (27)
SYDNEY                0.1     0.2     1.3     3.6 (24)

GOALS
Essendon: Gamble 2, Scott, Adams
Sydney: Privitelli, McEvoy, Heads

BEST 
Essendon: Scott, Walker, Prespakis, G.Clarke, Nanscawen, Gaylor
Sydney: Hurley, Tarrant, Gardiner, O'Sullivan, Davies

INJURIES
Essendon: Gamble (finger), Scott (corked right quad)
Sydney: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Kodi Jacques (suspension) replaced by Mia Busch in selected side
Sydney: Nil

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: 1,460 at Mission Whitten Oval