The Bombers travelled to North Sydney Oval to play the Swans in a pre-Ansett Cup practice match, with Sydney winning by 8 points. The game never reached any great heights, with poor conditions limiting the skill level. Essendon used the game to give the younger players a run, and coach Kevin Sheedy was happy with the effort shown.

Match details

Sydney 5.1 7.5 11.7 13.9 (87)
Essendon 3.3 8.7 10.10 11.13 (79)

Goals
Sydney: Goodes 3, Schwass, Lewis, Williams, O'Loughlin, Bolton, Schauble, Feast, Kirk, Swan, Ball.
Essendon: Lloyd 4, Mercuri, J Johnson, Moorcroft, Blumfield, Bullen, Kenny, Peverill.

The final score saw Essendon (11.13.79) go down by just over a goal to the Swans (13.9.87) in front of a very good crowd of 12,460. The result, however, did not mean as much to the Bombers as the ability to test out some of the new recruits and a few of the players who were not able to get a regular senior game last year.

Spearhead Matthew Lloyd played only the first half of the match, but looked in good form kicking four goals before being rested.

The Swans started the game well, leading at quarter time, but a good second quarter saw the Dons leading at the main change. With persistent rain for most of the second half, Sydney did enough to eventually win by 8 points.

The Bombers now prepare for the first round Ansett Cup game against Port Adelaide next weekend at Football Park.