IT WASN'T particularly pretty, but Essendon won't care. Without skipper Dyson Heppell, a late out with a foot injury, the Bombers gave their finals hopes a boost with a resolute 10-point win over Sydney at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

That one was critical. After a tight, dour affair in the first half, the game shot to life in the final quarter as two teams hoping to feature in September refused to wilt.

Even when Essendon went ahead by 17 in the last term, the Swans didn't concede. Luke Parker, who had Dylan Clarke for company throughout the contest, converted his set shot and there was still plenty of time left on the clock. 

Jake Stringer provided the Bombers with a spark in the forward line. Picture: AFL Photos

The Bombers held firm though to snap the Swans' three-game winning streak and emerge with an 11.10 (76) to 9.12 (66) victory to move to an 8-7 record.

It continued Essendon's stranglehold over Sydney/South Melbourne at the MCG, not having lost to the Swans since 1923.

BOMBERS EDGE SWANS Full match coverage and stats

Poor disposal going into attack cost the Bombers early. Gun midfielder Dylan Shiel, who wore plenty of criticism earlier this season for his shoddy kicking, was among the chief culprits and finished with 0.3, but his influence was important.

In a game that saw plenty of scrappy football, Andy McGrath's fantastic pass to David Zaharakis, who finished superbly for the second of his three goals, stood out.

Then there was Orazio Fantasia's snap, which was downright absurd.

He was quiet in a week after AFL.com.au revealed the South Australian would like to return home eventually, his impact dampened by Callum Mills. It was that sort of day for forwards, who only thrived in moments rather than extended periods.

Jake Stringer took advantage of his moment in the third quarter, going full throttle with his defensive pressure, to chase first Jordan Dawson and then Dane Rampe, setting up Zaharakis' third goal.

GAMEBREAKER Zaka too slick, bags crucial hat-trick

Stringer is one to rise when it matters. Midway through the final term, with a long ball sent in his direction, Stringer couldn't quite hold on to the mark after leaping on to Aliir Aliir's shoulders, but recovered quickly to soccer it through, his second goal off the ground for the day.

The ruck battle was always going to be an intriguing duel. Sydney was forced to deploy regular backman Aliir in there, with Callum Sinclair (shoulder), Darcy Cameron (quad) and Sam Naismith (knee) all missing, and he was excellent at ground level, winning eight clearances against the hapless Zac Clarke, who was brought in for Tom Bellchambers (calf).

RUMOUR OR REALITY? John Worsfold laughs off Fantasia speculation

However Clarke, who has been maligned by Bombers fans, clunked a vital late grab to help his side hold on.

A couple of moments would have given Swans fans optimism for the future. Nick Blakey, who has shown his immense talent throughout his debut season, clunked a mark against three Bombers to slot Sydney's first goal.

Then there was his composure in the third quarter to step through congestion before chipping it to Sam Reid, who put through a goal to edge the Swans ahead by nine points. 

Blakey had a chance in the final 10 minutes to snap and bring the margin back to three points, but his miss proved costly.

KEEPING FAITH John Longmire believes Swans are still in finals hunt

Also for the Swans, Isaac Heeney was excellent, racking up 33 disposals while Dane Rampe was typically solid down back.

MEDICAL ROOM
Essendon: Cale Hooker had his lower back worked on periodically throughout the day. Zach Merrett was hit hard early in the second term and looked to be battling but was on the field for the start of the second half.
Sydney: Promising young key forward Nick Blakey was crunched, fairly, by Aaron Francis in the opening quarter and seemed to hurt his right ankle. He didn't leave the field initially but eventually spent time off the ground, before coming back on. Will Hayward copped a corkie to his right thigh in the third term when he went back to mark and had it strapped up.

NEXT UP

Sydney will see an opportunity for victory when it hosts Carlton next Saturday afternoon at the SCG, while later that day, Essendon clashes with North Melbourne in the twilight slot in what promises to be an intriguing duel.

ESSENDON     2.3       4.5       7.5       11.10 (76)
SYDNEY           1.2       3.6       7.8       9.12 (66)

GOALS
Essendon: Zaharakis 3, McKernan 2, Stringer 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Fantasia, Parish, Langford
Sydney: Reid 2, Parker 2, Blakey, Jones, Papley, Rose, McCartin

BEST 
Essendon: Shiel, Zaharakis, Parish, Saad, Hurley, McGrath
Sydney: Heeney, Kennedy, Rampe, Hewett, Aliir, Mills

INJURIES 
Essendon: Dyson Heppell (foot) replaced in selected side by Kyle Langford
Sydney: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Dalgleish, O'Gorman, Mitchell

Official crowd: 60,199 at the MCG