Take a look at our comprehensive preview of Essendon's clash with Sydney on Sunday. 

SYDNEY v ESSENDON 

Sunday, June 14
3:35pm AEST
SCG
Live on Channel Seven 

THE HISTORY

Games played (includes South Melbourne) - 222
Won – 132
Lost – 89
Drawn – 1 

THREE QUICK FACTS

1. Breaking the SCG hoodoo

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd was spearheading the forward line in his final year when the Bombers’ last won at the SCG. That victory came in round 15, 2009, with seven clashes at the ground since falling the Swans’ way. 

2. Walla’s 80 on the trot

The possibility of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti missing a game of footy just felt strange. The livewire forward is one of the most durable players in the competition after all, missing just one match out of a possible 91 since his debut year in 2016. Having been named despite rolling an ankle on the track at the weekend, he’ll take his place in the line-up alongside another durable Bomber in Zach Merrett, who will chalk up his 50^th consecutive game.

3. Townsend goes full circle

Jacob Townsend made his AFL debut in Greater Western Sydney’s inaugural game in round one, 2012 against Sydney. Eight years and 49 games later, he’ll play his 50^th AFL match against the same opponent alongside his former Giants teammates Devon Smith and Dylan Shiel, who also took to the field that day.

LAST TIME WE MET

In the first match between the sides at the MCG in 15 years, the Bombers held on for a gritty 10-point win in round 16 last season. David Zaharakis stepped up in the absence of late withdrawal Dyson Heppell to kick a game-high three goals, while Dylan Shiel polled three Brownlow votes. Sydney entered the clash with five wins from its past seven encounters, while Essendon was also in a rich vein of form that would see it lose just once between rounds 11 and 18.

FORM 

Essendon
Round one: Defeated Fremantle 9.9 (63) to 8.9 (57) at Marvel Stadium 

The Bombers came firing out of the blocks to gain the early ascendancy, but the fast-finishing Dockers had Essendon supporters on the edge of their seats until the final siren. Tom Cutler and Jacob Townsend made their club debuts, with the latter booting three goals in a depleted forward line. Devon Smith was back to his ferocious best after a long injury layoff, while Dylan Shiel’s 35 disposals had him leading the competition after round one.

Sydney
Round one: Defeated Adelaide 11.8 (74) to 11.5 (71) at Adelaide Oval

Like the Bombers, the Swans held off a fast-finishing opponent to prevail in a thriller interstate. Isaac Heeney took the limelight with four goals in the absence of superstar forward Lance Franklin, while ruckman Sam Naismith made a fairytale return after missing the past two seasons through injury. Sydney smashed Adelaide in contested possessions (136-119), clearances (46-25) and centre clearances (20-5) to lead the League in all those categories.

TEAMS

Essendon

Backs	35. Matt Guelfi	26. Cale Hooker	18. Michael Hurley
Half-backs	42. Adam Saad	27. Mason Redman	14. Jordan Ridley
Centre	12. Tom Cutler	1. Andrew McGrath	7. Zach Merrett
Half-forwards	5. Devon Smith	40. Will Snelling	43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Forwards	25. Jake Stringer	44. Shaun McKernan	20. Jacob Townsend
Followers	2. Tom Bellchambers	21. Dyson Heppell (C)	9. Dylan Shiel
Interchange	3. Darcy Parish	4. Kyle Langford	11. David Zaharakis
	10. Aaron Francis

In: Heppell, Hooker, McKernan

Out: Fantasia (quad), Zerk-Thatcher (suspension), Laverde (omitted)

Sydney

Backs	44. Jake Lloyd	24. Dane Rampe	36. Aliir Aliir
Half-backs	14. Callum Mills	2. Kaiden Brand	7. Harry Cunningham
Centre	28. Lewis Taylor	26. Luke Parker	34. Jordan Dawson
Half-forwards	13. Oliver Florent	30. Tom McCartin	5. Isaac Heeney
Forwards	15. Sam Gray	22. Nick Blakey	9. Will Hayward
Followers	18. Callum Sinclair	12. Josh Kennedy	11. Tom Papley
Interchange	38. Colin O'Riordan	8. James Rowbottom	27. Justin McInerney
	29. George Hewett

In: Hewett, Sinclair

Out: Ronke (omitted), Naismith (hamstring)

BOMBER TO WATCH 

Devon Smith

You can always brace for a largely contested game of footy on the tight confines of the SCG, and with the possibility of a wet deck, expect a player like Devon Smith to revel in the conditions. The feisty, uncompromising midfielder has unfinished business after missing the majority of 2019, and didn’t miss a beat during the COVID-19 lockdown and return to training. 

DANGEROUS OPPONENT

Isaac Heeney

Sydney’s attacking half looks more dynamic this season, having added smalls Sam Gray (Port Adelaide) and Lewis Taylor (Brisbane) during the off-season to complement agile forwards Tom Papley, Nick Blakey, Will Hayward and Tom McCartin. Even without the injured Lance Franklin, the Swans have goalkicking options, with Isaac Heeney the jewel in the crown. Spending more time in the forward 50 in round one, Heeney was lethal with a game-high four goals, proving to be the focal point his side needed. The Bombers simply must stop him.

FIVE TALKING POINTS

1. A preparation like no other 

Can you believe it’s almost been three months since the Bombers defeated the Dockers in round one? It’d be the understatement of the year to say a lot has happened in the lead-up to round two, but let’s just say we’re over the moon to have footy back.

It remains to be seen which sides will emerge the strongest from the COVID-19 lockdown and mini pre-season, and then there are the added unknowns around the effects of interstate travel. 

Due to strict protocols, the Bombers will share an early morning flight to Sydney with North Melbourne on Sunday, spending the lead-up to the mid-afternoon game in a hotel. It’s a significant change to the usual interstate routine, which allows players to better acclimatise by flying the day before a game and having a light training session on the ground they’ll play on. 

2. Returning duo

Sunday will mark 283 days and a significant haircut between games for captain Dyson Heppell, who last donned the sash in the elimination final loss to West Coast. Having managed a foot injury in the latter stages of last season, the 28-year-old is fit and raring to go after off-season surgery.

He’ll be joined by fellow Crichton medallist Cale Hooker, who also went under the knife between seasons and hasn’t pulled on a Bombers guernsey since the elimination final.

3. History against the Bombers 

Can Essendon finally taste victory at the SCG again? It’s been 11 years since it last happened, with the ground unfortunately a scene of heartbreak, and controversy, for the Bombers in recent years (need we mention ‘Rampe Gate’ again?). 

With two of the past three clashes between the sides at the SCG decided by less than a goal, are the Bombers finally due some luck?

4. What impact will Lance Franklin’s absence have?

Lance Franklin has kicked more goals against Essendon than any other side in his illustrious career, so Bombers fans will sleep a little easier on Saturday night. The superstar’s absence, along with fellow tall Sam Reid, means the Swans will roll with a smaller, more dynamic forward line. Aliir Aliir may pinch-hit in the ruck to allow Callum Sinclair to rest inside attacking 50, but outside of that, Tom McCartin (193cm) looms as the Swans’ only tall, stay-at-home forward.

5. Can the Bombers get their run and carry going? 

We know the Bombers love to launch from half-back through the corridor with their leg speed, but this isn’t a ground typically suited to that style. The Swans, who favour one-on-one footy, will try to block space and make it a contested game on the tighter confines of the SCG, but will Essendon be able to work its way through the maze?

The Bombers ranked first for uncontested possessions in round one, while the Swans led the competition for contested possessions. A small sample size, yes, but there are definitely contrasting styles here.