SUMMARY
The Swans have stormed back into finals calculations after winning five of their past six games, and suddenly look like the Sydney of old. John Longmire's side fought back from a big deficit to beat Richmond at the MCG last week to maintain the momentum after smashing the Western Bulldogs the previous round. Essendon is coming off the bye so it will be interesting to see how the week off has affected the Dons, given they played their best footy of the year against Port Adelaide the week before. The Bombers' leg speed caused the Power all sorts of issues and has the potential to do the same to the Swans, with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Orazio Fantasia and Conor McKenna providing the run and excitement for John Worsfold's team. Essendon has a woeful record on the road, especially at the SCG, so a win on Friday night would be massive.
WHERE AND WHEN
SCG, Friday, June 23, 7.50pm AEST
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R7, 2016, Sydney 20.15 (135) d Essendon 7.12 (54) at the SCG
R1, 2015, Sydney 10.12 (72) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at ANZ Stadium
R19, 2014, Sydney 11.13 (79) d Essendon 8.9 (57) at the SCG
R9, 2014, Sydney 18.6 (114) d Essendon 9.10 (64) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2013, Sydney 17.13 (115) d Essendon 10.11 (71) at the SCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. When the teams last played the Swans led by only 17 points at half-time before kicking 13 goals to two in the second half. Lance Franklin and Isaac Heeney starred, kicking 11 goals between them.
2. The Swans are one of the form teams over the past two months. Since round seven they're five wins from six games, averaging 102 points per game while conceding only 70 points. In the same time the Bombers are three wins from six games.
3. Sydney has dominated Essendon recently, winning the past six games and seven of the past eight; the Bombers' most recent win was in round 20, 2011 by one point.
4. Not in the Bombers favour is their recent history at the SCG. They've lost their past four and haven't won there since 2009. Their recent interstate record is also poor, losing 14 of their past 15 games.
5. Sydney star Lance Franklin loves playing against Essendon more than any other team, kicking 64 goals in 13 games at an average of 4.92 per game. He's kicked five or more eight times, eight or more three times.
6. Star Sydney midfielders Josh Kennedy (fourth), Luke Parker (16th) and Dan Hannebery (18th) are all ranked inside the top 20 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings, with Zach Merrett the highest ranked Essendon onballer at 31st.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Michael Hartley
The tall defender is likely to get the job on Lance Franklin, who has made a habit of destroying the Bombers over his career. Essendon has Michael Hurley as back up, but if Hartley can keep the Swan quiet, Hurley can concentrate on controlling the back six.
