Essendon VFL has pulled off a stunning final quarter blitz to overpower Sydney and secure their first finals appearance since 2019.

Considered a longshot for even the wildcard places at the halfway point of the year, the Bombers have won each of their past six games to close out the home-and-away season, roaring into the top five and setting up a date with either Sydney or Frankston in an elimination final at Windy Hill.

At three-quarter-time, it looked like the Dons' fate may have been out of their hands with Sydney still in the lead, but as they've done time and time again in 2026, a dramatic last stanza was staged and the home side rallied for seven unanswered majors.

Jade Gresham was the main beneficiary with five goals of his own (now 11 from his last three matches), while Tom Edwards' presence was massive - the West Australian finished with 22 disposals, seven marks and three goals as one of the primary forward targets alongside Liam McMahon (2.3 on the day).

Lachie Blakiston's ruck dominance was capped off with a goal from outside 50 before Nik Cox's long-range goal firmly put the finals on the club's radar. 

Jackson Hately and Elijah Tsatas dictated proceedings in the middle, the vice-skipper enormous throughout with 35 touches while Tsatas (37 touches) slotted a team-lifting goal on the run in the third term.

Tyler Sellers patrolled the back half manfully and picked off everything the Swans threw in his direction - six intercepts and nine marks coming from his 16 disposals in a courageous performance.

Equipped with the week off before they find out whether a rematch against the Swans or a clash with Frankston awaits, the VFL Bombers will hope to continue their form into a massive do-or-die final in a fortnight's time.

ESSENDON              4.2    7.8     11.12   18.17  (125)
SYDNEY                   4.2   10.4    13.6     15.8  (98) 

GOALS 
Gresham 5, Edwards 3, McMahon 2, Guelfi 2, Hately, Blakiston, Nyko, Tsatas, Binns, Cox

BEST
Hately, Sellers, Edwards, Tsatas, Blakiston, Gresham