Sydney has locked away a home qualifying final for the second time in three years on Sunday evening, defeating Essendon by six goals at the MCG.
A nine-goal first term from the visitors looked to put the game beyond doubt very early on, before the Swans eventually won out 17.10 (112) over the Bombers’ 11.10 (76).
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Superstar Errol Gulden ran riot to record a career-high 46 disposals and 999 metres gained, with 25 of his touches coming before the main break.
Isaac Heeney (29 disposals, three goals), Chad Warner (23 disposals, three goals) Charlie Curnow (four goals) all had just as much impact through the middle and attacking half of the ground.
As he has done several times this year for the bottom-of-the-ladder Bombers, emerging star Nate Caddy kicked three goals for the hosts.
Essendon goalkickers: Caddy 3, Wright 2, Prior, Perkins, Unwin, Day-Wicks, Setterfield, Visentini
Sydney goalkickers: Curnow 4, Ch.Warner, Heeney 3, McDonald, Lloyd 2, Dattoli, Cootee, Serong
3. MCG RUNTHROUGH JUST WHAT SWANS NEED IN FINALS TUNE-UP
For just the second time in season 2026, Dean Cox’s Sydney side graced the MCG in a rare Sunday evening clash at the venue.
On paper, the Round 23 fixture between second and 18th on the ladder holds next to no value. But given how crucial a win on the hallowed turf is come the last Saturday in September, the Swans were lapping up every second they got there.
“We’re really pleased. It was a good opportunity to come down to the MCG and get a bit of practice here,” Swans superstar Isaac Heeney told Fox Footy on the final siren.
“We wanted to start really well, and we obviously did — but then we probably went away from our game plan a little bit. We got a bit cute through the second and third … (but) it was a good finish.
“This is my first one all year here, and I’ve played in all bar two games. It’s a bit of a bizarre feeling, but it’s a really special one.
“It’s the home of footy. It is a different ground, but I think our game style suits it which is really good. We’ve done a lot of work to make sure that if we get back here on that last day (of September), we’re ready and mentally prepared.