LIVE AFL: Swans trail after opening term AGAIN as Dons dominate ...

Sydney can virtually clinch the minor premiership but must take down an Essendon side playing for its season without superstar Chad Warner (calf) to open Round 23.

The Bombers (11-9-1, 96%) need to win at least one, and probably both, of their remaining games to play finals - and will be extra motivated against a Sydney side with whom they shared a fiery clash earlier this season at the SCG.

The Swans (15-6, 124.9%) will be only a mathematical chance of missing the minor premiership if they win tonight; but a loss would put them at risk of dropping out of the top four entirely.

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The Swans will be without Chad Warner (calf) and Robbie Fox (shoulder) for the match, with Lewis Melican and Corey Warner recalled in their place.

As for the Bombers, Sam Weideman will play his first game of 2024 as teammate Archie Perkins also comes in for the home side.

Nik Cox (concussion) has made way, while Alwyn Davey Jnr has been omitted.

The game gets underway at 7:40pm from Marvel Stadium.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl, from 6:30pm.

ESSENDON v SYDNEY - LIVE UPDATES

There were no late changes for either side, with Jye Menzie (Bombers) and Corey Warner (Swans) the respective substitutes for each team.

It took 10 and a half minutes, but the Bombers finally kicked the first goal of the game after a slow start from both sides - courtesy of Nic Martin sneaking up forward.

And it didn’t take long for him to convert again, kicking from 55 metres out to nail Essendon’s second and give them the early boost.

Sydney’s Caiden Cleary had the instant reply though, snapping beautifully less than 30 seconds later for his second career goal and his side’s first of the night.

In incredible scenes, Bombers ruck Sam Draper decided to snap from a set shot directly in front of goal, but managed to convert for his side’s third.

Swan Braeden Campbell snapped a ripping goal from the left forward pocket to narrow the margin, but yet again in 2024, Sydney trailed their opponents at the first break.

The scorecard read: Essendon 3.1 (19) leading Essendon 2.2 (14).

Dylan Shiel led the match for disposals with nine of his own, while Darcy Parish’s three inside 50s was also a game high.

Nick Blakey had four intercept possessions from his seven touches in the first term.

Jake Stringer kicked the first for the second quarter, with Sydney’s Luke Parker and Essendon’s Jade Gresham following up with minor scores.

After just one disposal in the opening quarter, Isaac Heeney nailed a set shot from distance to bring back the Swans’ deficit to just one goal halfway through the second quarter.

Incredibly, that goal ended up being the second and final one for the quarter - with the Swans trailing by seven points at the main break.

The scoreboard read: Essendon 4.5 (29) to Sydney’s 3.4 (22).

Melbourne great Garry Lyon gave the Swans a bath at on Fox Footy’s half-time coverage, very unimpressed with their efforts so far.

“This is the top of the ladder of the team who are limping towards the finals series … their forward line is not dangerous,” Lyon exclaimed.

“The sloppiness in which they’ve been able to tackle, and allow the Essendon players get through (isn’t good enough),” four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis added.

Sydney had a tackle efficiency of 63 per cent at half time, and a pressure rating of 172.

“That ain’t winning you finals that sort of stuff,” Lyon added.

The Swans looked a totally different team to start the second half, but Parker, Campbell and Heeney all kicking goals inside the first 10 minutes to send the Dons into total disarray.

Essendon’s Harrison Jones found himself on the end of a centring ball, marking and kicking truly from set shot to make the margin five points in favour of Sydney.

Parker kicked his second of the third term and the Swans’ fourth with five minutes to run in the premiership quarter - a great revival from his disposal-less opening 30 minutes.

Hayward followed up instantly with a snap across goal from medium-range, and pushed his side’s lead back to 16 points.

And good mate Ollie Florent was just as quick to back it up, drilling a major on the run from the right forward pocket to leave Essendon in dire straights.

Bomber Jake Stringer missed a simple set shot after the siren to narrow the margin, with the Swans taking a 21-point lead into the final quarter.

Fox Footy’s Lyon this time came after Essendon for their woeful term, as their marginal finals hopes looked all but gone.

“This Essendon side could be the biggest bunch of panic merchants in the AFL - when the pressure didn’t come early in the game, they got comfortable … it’s not going to be good watching for Bomber fans.” Lyon said at the final break.

Jye Caldwell kicked the first goal of the fourth quarter, but it was quickly cancelled put by Parker’s third for the night.

Heeney kicked his third to continue his huge second half, with Kyle Langford responding before Joel Amartey put through back-to-back goals to give the Swans a 33-point lead with half a quarter to play.

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