Michael Hartley has been given the job on Lance Franklin, while Michael Hurley is playing on Sam Reid.

After Sydney kicked the first of the night, Joe Daniher responded with a 60m bomb. His goal came on the back of an intercept mark in the middle of the ground from David Zaharakis. 

A short time later James Stewart converted from 40m out on the boundary to give the Bombers a five point lead eight minutes into the match.

The Swans led by a point at the first change with the home side's two first quarter goals coming from Essendon turnovers deep in the Dons defence.

By midway through the second quarter the Swans held the advantage in the clearances (15-8) and the inside 50s (21-17).  At that stage the Swans led by nine points.

Sydney stretched the lead to 16 points on the back of another clearance.  At that stage the Swans had recorded ten inside 50s for the term to the Bombers three.

But the Bomber responded with David Zaharakis converting late in the term after another intercept mark.

The slippery conditions are making it hard for both terms to string possessions together.

At half time the Bombers are eight points down.