Sydney is renowned for its grinding style of football and it produced a clinical exhibition of it today, wearing down a young Essendon side to score a resounding 91-point win.

With seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, Essendon trailed by just 12 points and looked to be well and truly in the game. But the young Bombers had run their race and could not match it with their more seasoned opposition who kicked the final 13 goals of the match.

It was a disappointing finish to a game where Essendon showed considerable fight in the middle stages of the match. It simply could not match it with the crash and bash style of the Swans over four quarters.

The Bombers had considerably more grunt around the ball with Mark McVeigh, Tom Hislop and Sam Lonergan welcome inclusions and at half time Essendon had won more contested possession than Sydney. But the effort took its toll and next weekend’s Dreamtime at the G match against Richmond is now pivotal to Essendon’s season.

Once again Essendon was forced to play catch up football after producing its worst first quarter against the Swans since 1936. They managed just two points and were lucky to only trail by 27 points at the first break. Essendon won enough contested football but used it poorly going inside 50m, giving their key forwards no hope of capitalising.

The Bombers also looked all at sea in the back half, particularly when it came to kick-ins. They found hitting targets difficult and continually put teammates under enormous pressure. A couple of dubious umpiring decisions didn’t help but a flogging looked on the cards.

The second quarter was a complete contrast. Andrew Welsh bounced through a goal in the opening 30 seconds and it set the tone with the Bombers kicking the first four of the quarter. Kyle Reimers carried on his good work from the opening quarter as did Hislop whose attack on the football was outstanding. Essendon look a much-improved unit although some of the good work was undone when they conceded two late goals to trail by 16 points at half time.

The third quarter was an even affair for the first 20 minutes with both sides working hard through the midfield. Essendon’s pressure was excellent and it was rewarded when Sydney turned the ball over on numerous occasions. One turnover resulted in a goal to Jay Neagle that drew his side to within 12 points. Sadly it was to be Essendon’s last goal of the game.

Sydney broke the game open late in the third quarter kicking five goals in the final 10 minutes to head into the final break with a 42-point lead. The match was effectively over. The only question was whether Essendon had any petrol left in the tank to combat a rampant Sydney.

The answer was an emphatic no. The Swans toyed with Essendon in the final quarter adding another eight goals to run out easy winners.

Positives were few and far between for the Bombers with perhaps the performance of Tom Hislop the highlight for Essendon supporters. His work around stoppages was outstanding and he looks a player of the future. Kyle Reimers and Sam Lonergan also played good football in patches.

Jay Neagle and Darcy Daniher struggled to have any real impact but quality opportunities were few and far between in the Essendon forward 50m. David Myers again showed some good signs in his second game playing in defence.

It shapes as a long-season for the Bombers but the coaching panel is keen to steer the path it defined at the beginning of the season. It will keep getting games into the young players and develop a team that can consistently play finals’ football. Games such as today will test the resolve of the coaching staff, players and supporters.